I love gardening and learning about the influential figures of gardening, horticulture, and garden design. I also love films, especially documentaries, and when I can put both of them together— well, it is a “stay indoors” kind of day for this gal. So, pass the popcorn and get a comfy blanket, because next I am going to share with you four wonderful documentaries about some amazing gardens and the visionaries who created them. These gardens will make you daydream of your own garden masterpiece. And if you already have you garden masterpiece, it will surely make you think of some additions.
This past summer, I became obsessed with reading about Gertrude Jekyll. I was devouring books, left and right. And in one of the books I read, Women Garden Designers: 1900 to the Present, I discovered Beatrix Farrand. If you are not familiar with her works, she was an American landscape gardener and landscape architect. She was significantly ahead of her time in a world that was dominated by males. She designed over 100 gardens throughout her career— from private residences to public parks, botanical gardens, and even college campuses, and the White House.
Around the same time I read the book, PSB showed this remarkable documentary, Beatrix Farrand’s American Landscape. The film, which traces Beatrix’s life from the moment she became interested in plants until her old age, is a graceful homage to the contributions she made to the world of horticulture and landscape architecture. But to me, her chief contribution came in the form of her advocacy for public space and its power to improve lives.
I loved the documentary as it was an honest look into her life, the highs and the lows included, to create a complete picture of the woman, not just the artist. An excellent documentary that I watched a few times and will continue to do. See the documentary trailer.
The Artist Garden truly is a short film (only around 13 minutes in length), but it is lovely. I would have titled this film ‘Musings by an Artist’ because this is what it is— an introspective look at the artist’s thought process behind his garden design. Robert Jakob sits down and describes his garden and how it has changed over the years as he learned more about gardening and design. He also talks about how nature, more specifically his garden, inspires his art.
All of this is framed against a lovely soundtrack that creates the perfect mood for the film. As I watched, I wanted to be there. I felt relaxed, and the entire experience felt like a meditation—a captivating experience for the senses. As a gardener, what I loved the most about the short film is that it gave me a sense of “It is ok if your garden is not perfect. What matters is that you love it.”
Now, for people who like a more structured film, this may seem like the random thoughts of an artist. To me, it was heartfelt, easy, and simple. And that is what I love about gardening and the film.
Five Seasons follows Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and explores how his ideas for new projects are born. The film is an immersion into his creative process— from sketches to completion (although is a garden ever fully completed?"). I enjoyed that Piet Oudolf is very aware of the impact that his choices and ideas have on the environment.
The film centers around the installation of a new garden at Hauser & Wirth Somerset— an arts center in Southwest, England— which he considers his best work to this day. However, it takes us on a tour of his private gardens and visits to his public works worldwide— from desert gardens to prairies and urban jungles. He truly is a genius in garden design, and we get his insight about the projects he is famous for, but more importantly, his garden design philosophy.
The cinematography is stunning and makes it one of those films that you wish you could watch on the big screen to truly appreciate the magnitude of his works. See the film HERE.
Two years ago, a friend recommended a film released in 2018 titled The Gardener, and I had to watch it, and I am so glad I did. It offered escapism from life and work. For the time it lasted, it transported me to a place where a dream and a vision came together and created the beautiful gardens at the 20-acres Les Quatre Vents—the beautiful estate of Frank and Anne Cabot—outside Quebec.
In the documentary, Cabot shares the history of how Les Quatre Vents became what it is today, a sprawling gem by the St. Lawrence River. But the heart of the documentary does not come from Cabot. The film's true essence comes from the interviews of those who knew him best. They share how the gardens moved them, and they provided additional insight into Cabot's design philosophy.
While elements are missing for me, the movie is undoubtedly romantic and so soothing to watch. And maybe in the lack of practical details, the creators tried to ensure that practicalities did not detract from the film's feel. Instead, what it achieves is to keep the true gardener hidden from those who admire his creation. But all in all, the film will surely please anyone who loves nature, gardening, and the drive of the human spirit to create beauty any way they can. You can watch the film trailer HERE, and read my full review HERE.
You may find me joining some of these fun link-ups: In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Pink Saturday, Nature Notes, Dishing It & Digging It, Grace at Home, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, My Corner of the World