For years, he was revered for his legendary right foot.
But after retiring from football, Sir David Beckham has become known for his green fingers – so much so that he will host a garden at this year’s prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the former England captain will unveil the garden alongside gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh as part of a project with The King’s Foundation.
Named The Curious Garden, it aims to capture the perspective of a newcomer to horticulture, ‘someone eager to experiment, learn and embrace the unexpected’ – a nod to how Sir David, 50, found gardening later in life.
The garden seeks to inspire a new generation of gardeners and encourage interest in environmental careers and traditional rural craft, a cause close to Sir David’s heart.
The former footballer is a patron of The King’s Foundation, the charity founded by King Charles which focuses on sustainability and heritage preservation.
He is said to have bonded with the King over their shared love of nature, with Charles inviting him to Highgrove for a tour of the gardens there two years ago.
Sir David and the King met again last year at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Sir David Beckham has become known for his green fingers – so much so that he will host a garden at this year’s prestigious Chelsea Flower Show
Sir David and the King met last year at the Chelsea Flower Show
A source said: ‘David and the King bond over their love of the outside and gardening. David was absolutely honoured to have gone to Highgrove.
‘He grew up in an urban area and has found the love of gardening later in life… He is very proud of his own garden.’
Sir David has spoken about the influence his grandparents had in kick-starting his love of gardens. He told the Daily Mail last year: ‘My grandad Joe would come to our house every Sunday to tend the roses. He’d leave everything looking perfect.
‘Then he’d come back the next week to find all the heads knocked off because I’d been kicking a football around.
‘I showed an interest, and he talked me through everything he was doing. I think that’s where my love of gardening came from, even if I didn’t realise it then.’
That influence has blossomed into a passion project at the Beckhams’ Cotswolds home.
The sprawling grounds feature rows of vegetables, including radishes and onions, alongside flower beds featuring roses planted for his wife, Victoria, 51, and their daughter Harper, 14. With guidance from head gardener Carly Holmes, Sir David has included a pond, duck house, fire pits and an outdoor kitchen.
The family also keep their own chickens and bees.
Titchmarsh, 76, praised the transformation after visiting Sir David’s home. ‘It is an incredible garden,’ he said. ‘David has done a tremendous job.’
