But keen gardeners should worry not as he said that 'dry, sandy soil' can simply be added to with 'organic matter' to help it sustain the new plants, as he continued: "Again, the addition of organic matter - well-rotted garden compost or manure - will improve their ability to sustain plants, but such amelioration needs to be continuous, and you would be better advised to select plants which, once established, are used to drought. And that spot in dry shade - the ultimate double whammy?

"Yes, there are plants that will grow here, even though your choice will be more limited than usual. Above all, don't lose heart. Remember the old saying: "Right plant, right place."

As the much-loved broadcaster continued he singled out his top plants to make a space for in your gardens this autumn as he warned against trying to grow 'brilliant summer bedding plants in deep shade'.

Describing the appearance of pampass grass he didn't hold back as he said that it looked 'like a collection of feathered dusters sticking out of a mountain of grass' and warned anyone trying to remove the plant that they've 'got a real task ahead of them.'