Monty Don Recommends Planting Fragrant Flowers by April

Monty Don urges gardeners to start planting fragrant blooms well ahead of April. He singles out sweet peas for scent and vase value.

Why sweet peas score highly

Sweet peas offer a strong perfume and work beautifully as cut flowers. Monty grows them at Longmeadow, his Herefordshire garden.

He says their aroma and form make them a top choice for scented borders and bouquets.

Sowing timetable and strategy

Monty follows a staggered sowing plan to extend the season. He starts an early batch in October and keeps it in a cold frame.

He sows more in January and February. He advises a final batch no later than Easter, and to aim for the end of March.

He warns that sowings begun after the second weekend of April are unlikely to perform well.

Regional suitability

Sweet peas favour cool, damp conditions. Monty notes they do better in western areas than in drier eastern regions.

Gardeners in moist climates should find them especially reliable.

Potting and planting tips

Plants are often sold as crowded pots with many shoots. Monty recommends restricting to about three seedlings per three-inch pot.

Deep planting helps root development. Use rich, moisture-retentive soil for best results.

Provide sturdy supports. Typically use one cane per plant and secure stems with twine as they climb.

Maintenance for longer blooms

Regular picking promotes continuous flowering. Monty says removing spent blooms prolongs the display.

Keep feeding and watering in rich soil to support repeated flushes.

Monty returns on 27 March 2026 at 8pm on BBC Two with Gardeners’ World. He will demonstrate masterclass seed sowing at Longmeadow. Frances Tophill will feature miniature daffodils.

Published by Filmogaz.com on 27 March 2026.