King Charles' ex-gardener blasts Isle of Wight Ventnor Botanic Garden as 'monoculture of weeds'

The 'Ventor method' - hailed as climate fix - at gardens was branded 'unscientific' Mr Pearce, 25, said it's run by someone with 'zero experience' of garden work The gardens on the Isle of Wight have come under fire as it fell into disrepair King Charles's former gardener has launched a stinging attack on a celebrated botanic garden whose 'rewilding' project he says has turned it into a 'monoculture of weeds'. David Pearce, 25, the former kitchen gardener at the King's private residence of Highgrove in Gloucestershire said the 'rewilding' project on the botanic garden on the Isle of Wight turned it into a 'monoculture of weeds' Then-Prince Charles with Camilla and TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh visiting the Botanic Garden in 2009 'Through my recent visits, it is clear that Ventnor Botanic Garden is becoming a monoculture of weeds,' said Mr Pearce. Pictured: Dying plants at the garden Before: Subtropical palms and aloes growing in terraced scree garden, in botanic gardens with sheltered microclimate at Ventnor Botanic Garden After: Recent pictures of the gardens show trees with brown and dead leaves and the paths strewn with overgrown vegetation In a letter to the Island's local newspaper, the 25 year old - who trained at the botanic garden between 2016 and 2018 - said: 'This "experimental trial" practiced at Ventnor Botanic Garden is being hailed as the future of gardening, and a solution to climate change. Mr Pearce criticised the experimental 'Ventor method' which has been hailed as the future of gardening and a solution to climate change Mr Pearce said the trial 'lacks any of the scientific backing' and in any case, they should not be experimenting on a 'scientifically important collection of plants' Prince Charles, Prince of Wales tours the Ventnor Botanic Garden during a day of engagements on The Isle of Wight on July 17, 2009 Mr Goodenough - who left his post in 2011 - felt compelled to make his concerns public, writing a lengthy critique to the Island's local newspaper.