Roses are the nation's most loved... and most hated plant, according to the first Gardeners' World Awards. More than 7,500 gardeners voted in the comprehensive gardening poll, announced today, Thursday June 18, with gardeners revealing their
views on all aspects of gardening from favourite and most hated plants to vegetables, garden centres, mail order suppliers, tools and media.
Roses were the most loved plant, ahead of sweet pea and fuchsia, but also topped the ''most hated'' category, for the susceptibility to disease and thorns, with invasive ivy creeping into second place and hostas coming third. Strawberries aroused similarly strong emotions, topping the list
of favourite fruit for their delicious reward, but they were second most hated for the ability to attract unwanted pests, such as slugs. Strawberries were pipped for most hated top spot by that perennial party pooper, the gooseberry. Despite the rise of trendy greens, old-fashioned runner
beans sprinted to the top of the favourite vegetable list attracting 20 per cent of all votes.
Other findings include:
* Pest-prone carrots topped the list of most hated vegetables.
* Wyevale named best garden centre, with Scottish retailer Dobbies coming second and B&Q third.
* Slugs and snails were voted the most hated garden pests.
* Thompson & Morgan receiving the most votes for the best online retailer.
* 22 per cent of all gardeners voted secateurs as their top tool.
According to Gardeners' World presenter Toby Buckland: "Roses are quintessentially English and it's fascinating to see the strong emotions this bloom conjures up. While many including myself love their beauty and scent, some are put off because they think they are hard to grow - but with
many new disease resistant varieties this is not necessarily the case."
He continued: "The huge response we got from the public shows that gardening is becoming more popular in our nation's gardens, back yards and balconies. This passion is spreading from the tradition of growing flowers to the recent boom in growing veg in the most unconventional places ....
even Buckingham palace."
The winners
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FAVOURITE GARDEN PLANT 1. Rose 2. Sweet pea 3. Fuchsia 4. Clematis 5. Daffodil |
MOST-HATED GARDEN PLANT 1. Rose 2. Ivy 3. Hosta 4. Marigolds 5. Leylandii |
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FAVOURITE FRUIT TO GROW 1. Strawberries 2. Raspberries 3. Apples 4. Plums 5. Blueberries |
MOST-HATED FRUIT TO GROW 1. Gooseberries 2. Strawberries 3. Apples 4. Raspberries 5. Cherries |
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FAVOURITE VEG TO GROW 1. Runner beans 2. Tomatoes 3. Potatoes 4. Peas (inc sugar snaps and mangetouts) 5. Carrots |
MOST-HATED VEG TO GROW 1. Carrots 2. Cabbages 3. Cauliflower 4. Lettuce/salads 5. Tomatoes |
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WORST GARDEN PROBLEM 1. Weeds 2. Pests 3. Soil 4. Animals 5. Space |
MOST-HATED WEED 1. Bindweed 2. Dandelions 3. Ground elder 4. Couch grass 5. Horse/mare's tail |
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MOST-HATED GARDEN PEST 1. Slugs & Snails 2. Vine Weevil 3. Aphids 4. Lily Beetle 5. Caterpillers |
WHAT TOOL COULDN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT 1. Secateurs 2. Trowel 3. Fork 4. Spade 5. Lawn Mower |
The inaugural Gardeners' World awards gave members of the public a chance to vote for all their gardening loves and hates, including their favourite fruit to grow, most-loved garden plant and much more. .
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