Queen Elizabeth is "really into gardening".
The 91-year-old monarch impressed gardeners at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday (22.05.17) with her extensive knowledge about plants, after she was reportedly inspired to take up the hobby after a garden restoration project was carried out on the grounds of Frogmore House.
Robert Hillier, chairman of Hillier Nurseries, said the Queen has always enjoyed visiting the annual flower show in London, but noted that this year she was more "animated" than in the past as she showcased her newfound green fingers.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "She has never shown her knowledge before. We have met many times but suddenly she is so interested in plants and planting.
"She is really thrilled with the way Frogmore is developing. She has now got more ambitious and wants to do a lot more.
"She obviously enjoys going to Chelsea, but in the past she has not been so animated. She has got really into gardening. It’s never too late!"
And gardeners were also amazed at the Queen’s knowledge of the Latin names for many of the most popular plants and flowers.
Lady Elizabeth Anson said: "Her knowledge of plants of phenomenal – and she knows the Latin names."
Queen Elizabeth’s extensive gardening knowledge even extends to the creepy crawlies of the garden, as she displayed an understanding of earwigs.
The monarch spotted upturned flower pots on top of tomato canes and asked what they were used for, to which Chris Smith, owner of Pennard Plants, said: "That’s how gardeners used to trap earwigs."
And the Queen responded: "I do remember that – and the children had to go out and empty them."
Queen Elizabeth’s green fingers
