Frances Tophill is a staple horticulturalist and TV personality in British gardening, having brightened up screens while presenting Gardeners' World and Love Your Garden.
Having started out in the industry in her 20s, the now 36-year-old is taking on a new challenge by designing the RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, which aims to celebrate and encourage the public's curiosity in gardening and spending time in nature.
© The King’s Foundation / Courtney Louise PhotographyThere, she's joined by Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh CBE, who are both ambassadors for The King's Foundation and are helping her create her first garden for the annual event.
After finding out about her exciting new appointment in August last year, Frances has revealed the one trait of King Charles she was warned about ahead of the show, as well as what it was like working with The King's Foundation.
King Charles's surprising trait
As Frances began planning the garden, which explores themes of harmony and art, she met with the King's gardening team to get a sense of the vision behind the project.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the Rewild Your Garden author said: "He's got loads of acers, so I'm thinking about the colours and the placements and the views."
As one might expect when working with the King, Frances was made aware of one particular trait she should keep in mind in order to impress him.
© PA Images via Getty Images"Everyone keeps saying that he's so detail-focused that he'll notice all the tiny things," she explained.
It's a warning she has clearly taken seriously. Frances has been carefully considering every element of the design, even embarking on a search for the perfect garden gnome as a playful nod to one in the King's own garden at Highgrove in Gloucestershire. "He hides it in the stumpery for the gardeners to find," she said.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesWorking with David Beckham
As well as the King, Frances has also worked with The King's Foundation ambassador Sir David Beckham on the garden – something she admitted she felt "excited" and "slightly nervous" about.
While formulating her design, Frances revealed that the former England footballer gave her a list of his favourite plants to use, including hyacinths, snowdrops and lots of vegetables.
© PA Images via Getty Images"He was really keen on garlic, so I was like OK…" she told The Telegraph. "I started growing garlic on my allotment, and I said to him: 'I really hope you don't get your hopes up for this garlic. I'm doing my best with it, but my allotment is quite shady.'
David replied: "I don't care! Sounds great. It will be nice to see your garlic!"
Frances Tophill's quiet life behind the spotlight
Frances first appeared on television in 2011, co-hosting Love Your Garden alongside Alan Titchmarsh, before becoming a familiar face on BBC's Gardeners' World from 2016 onwards.
In 2023, she stepped in to present the programme from her own Devon garden while Monty Don was away, a moment she says gave her a glimpse of just how recognisable life on the show can become.
© BBC"I'm not a person who ever wants to be famous," she admitted.
While she continues to live in Devon, Frances has also hinted at plans for a quieter, more modern home in the future – something she'll shield from the spotlight of television gardening for now.
