Man with 200 varieties of mint to appear on BBC show

Jeffrey Moore from Adderbury and his mint plant collection were filmed for The Instant Gardener TV programme. NNL-161204-151657009

Mr Moore, 72, of Adderbury, has more than 200 varieties of mint in the garden of his St Mary’s Road home after receiving his first mint plants as a retirement present six years ago.

The plants, which are recognised as a national collection by Plant Heritage, come from places including Devon and Rutland. His collection – which includes chocolate, lime and eau de cologne varieties – came to the attention of the garden transformation show when it was filming in Abingdon.

He contributed a couple of plants to the garden they were working on and was interviewed by presenter Helen Skelton.

He said: “One of my sisters bought me a mint when I retired and I thought ‘that’s a nice smell’ so I went back to the nursery to see what was available.”

His garden will be open for the National Garden Scheme on May 8, from 2pm to 5.30pm, and on June 4, from 2pm to 5pm.