Over the past decade I’ve become a bit of a documentary nerd, and last winter - the one where it was cold and snowy and I could all stay inside without feeling guilty about missing out on nice weather - I binged on garden documentaries.
None were nail biters or drama filled, but I walked away with new knowledge and inspiration after watching each one. There is a true art to telling someone’s story in a two hour or less span of time, and the four listed below (in no certain order) are ones that spoke to me the most:
PORTRAIT OF A GARDEN
This subtitled documentary follows one year in the life of a historic walled garden in the Netherlands. Not only does it speak to the patience and care it takes to bring a garden vision to life, but it also follows along the beautiful friendship between two men of different generations that are gardening alongside each other as mentor/mentee. The pace of this is the slowest on the list, but their peaceful and informative conversations were ones I couldn’t get enough of.
THE WELL PLACED WEED: THE BOUNTIFUL LIFE OF RYAN GAINEY
The title grabbed me immediately, because as someone who has a tolerance for weeds and even intertwines them in floral designs from time to time, I love to know I’m not alone in my slight affection for some of them.
But really the weeds take a backstage to Ryan Gainey in the film, a larger than life character that is an opinionated, unapologetic, creative, gifted, unique plant genius. Not to give any spoilers, but if you don’t know who Ryan is, the film has an ending you may not see coming.
BEATRIX FARRAND’S AMERICAN LANDSCAPES
This documentary follows the life of America’s first female landscape architect and her incredible work. Told by Lynden B. Miller, a present day renowned garden designer, you’re given a look into how Beatrix led the way for so many professional female plant experts and landscape designers today. In the film you’ll also get to tour many beautiful gardens in different locations around the country. Overall it’s a beautiful reminder of how much gardens and landscape design can become part of someone’s legacy and live on to tell their life story while benefitting the earth + society even after they’re gone.
THE GARDENER
Hear the incredible story and tour the beautiful garden of Frank Cabot, a self taught horticulturalist who created one of the world’s most adored and respected gardens - spanning almost 20 acres - from scratch. There are several people interviewed throughout the film, but it’s Frank who so eloquently describes how gardening has impacted his life that makes you want to reach for a pen and start writing down his quotes.