Last updated on September 30th, 2012
Life with Father (1947). I watched this film as a child, and it probably influenced my love of houseplants and vased arrangements. The film features William Powell and Irene Dunne, plus two other flowers: white lilacs and a very young, and very funny, Elizabeth Taylor.
The Secret Garden (1949; 1993). Sure, Burnett’s story is sweet. But how about that walled garden? Have you never dreamed of designing such a thing?
My House in Umbria (2003). I never tire of this HBO flick with Maggie Smith (at her tipsy best), and Italian landscapes and informal plantings that are to die for. Check out the lupins, larkspurs, and other colorful spires in Mrs. Delahunte’s garden. Smith’s longing for hollyhocks inspired me to winter-sow my own formidable crop this year.
Howard’s End (1992). If you love cottage gardens, roses, and the English countryside, this film is for you. Brilliant cinematography throughout.
Do you have any garden-heavy films you can recommend? Please mention your favorites in the comments field below.
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Justin says
Definitely “Brideshead Revisited.” Lots of gardens, lots of flowers. You can get the entire series from Netflix.
Samantha says
Great clip from Life with Father! I'd move into that house in a heartbeat. The plants, cut flowers and furnishings are a lesson in gracious living. Looks like the whole movie is available on youtube.
Katreader says
While not a movie, I love the BBC mystery series Rosemary and Thyme. A plant pathologist and former police officer team up to garden and solve crime. The gardens are gorgeous!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – I will have to rent Brideshead. You're the second person to mention this series to me.
Samantha – Glad you liked the Life with Father clip – when watching this movie I survey the furnishings as much as I do the actors!
Katreader – Thanks for turning me on to R&T!! I knew nothing about it. I see that Felicity Kendal co-stars…I well remember her from a Brit-com I used to watch 20 years ago! Anyway the series looks fun — and educational too.
Randy J says
Kevin,
Brideshead is definitely worth seeing. A lot of the series was shot at the Castle Howard which is gorgeous and sits in a beautiful landscape with gardens and fountains. I have the entire mini series but unfortunately on VHS.
Also check out Much Ado About Nothing. Another one that I have on VHS. The gardens and landscape are gorgeous!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Randy J – I had completely forgotten about “Much Ado.” Great production! I'll add it to the list.
Judy says
Hi Kevin! What a great topic for your blog! Although most were animation Disney had great garden scenes such as Fantasia (the pastoral setting) and Mary Poppins — where Mary and Burt spend a 'jolly holiday' in the park! I know you remember!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Yes, I especially remember Mary P, because I watched the film — with about 100 other adults — at Hawthorne Park in Salem, MA, just two summers ago. Oh, now I have that song stuck in my head: “It's a jolly holiday with Mary…”
Yolanda says
I like the films and series that everyone has mentioned. My own pick, for flower arrangements, anyway is The Age of Innocence. I've probably seen the film a dozen times.
Sue says
Another British favorite in my book is “Greenfingers”….a lovely, lighthearted story about prisoners who get into gardening and enter the Chelsea Flower show. (based on a true story).
Sue
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Yolanda – Age of Innocence is one of my favs, too.
Sue – Thanks for the tip! I'll put Greenfingers on my Netflix cue.
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, have you seen The Young Victoria? Lots of gardens in this one.
Anonymous says
greencard is my favorite …the greenhouse is a dream…..
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Anonymous – I've heard about this movie, and the gorgeous greenhouse, but have yet to see it! So thanks for the reminder. I'll put it on my Netflix cue.
Diane Michell says
Dear Kevin,
Another movie that I think you would enjoy that has lovely garden scenes is “Enchanted April”. Filmed in Italy at a beautiful house on the Amalfi coast. There is much magic and beauty all because of the house and garden.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Diane Mitchell – thanks for the tip! I love Italy…and will probably love “Enchanted April.”
Elizabeth says
Yes! I LOVED The Secret Garden as a child and never forgot it. Serendipity has rewarded us with a secret garden that no one could guess we have from the street or by walking out our back door. It is completely hidden behind the detached garage on our odd-shaped lot. We back up to a virgin green space forest, entrance is through a charming wisteria-covered arbor and gate. Nine years ago it was a Dead Zone, but 4 years ago we had a vision.
We’ve planted a mini orchard and asparagus bed with grape vines along the fence and blackberries on a trellis. Figs are heavily producing, apples finally set, bay laurel is taller than I am, peach and loquat produced minimally this year.
We are still watching the olive and pear and darn bananas (that I’m about to relocate to a visible location they might like better.) Herbs in the secret garden are only incidental to our main herb garden. How much fun!!
Love this thread about movie gardens. Go ahead and buy the boxed set of Brideshead Revisited, it’s a perfect winter project.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Elizabeth – As a fan of taking “nothing” and turning it into “something,” well, I’d surely love your secret garden.
Sheri Rice says
Hi Kevin – One of my favorite movies for pure visual feasting is Enchanted April. A group of women from the UK travel to italy in the 1920s and rent a house together fpr the month of April – to get out of the rain and cold of the awful London winter/spring. The best scene is after they arrive in the middle of the night and the next morning open the shutters to their sleeping rooms onto a spectacular garden and view. Sigh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOQCo7CzMGU
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sheri Rice – Thanks for the suggestion. The scene you described was enough to convince me to order this film. I watched the youtube clip, too — scene with Joan Plowright painting flowers was..well, enchanting!
Ginger Blymyer says
I love Rosemary and Thyme, in fact I bought it for myself as a present when I was having to cut down on pain pills. It is not an easy thing to do and so I kept watching these women in those beautiful surroundings and it made my life so much easier. Gardens and books places are my favorite places.
Ginger Blymyer says
I love gardens and when I owned Snowvillage Inn, in Snowville New Hampshire. (look it up @ Snowvillage Inn. I planted the most wonderful gardens. I was a garden a holic. I had Floribunda who was twins and a fellow who were artists and we won the prizes every year for the Garden trail for business. Then we sold and I moved across the street. We lived on a hill in the middle of the forest. The Inn has fantastic views. When I moved I didn’t have the gardeners but I did plant as much as possible, starting from Scratch. My favorite was my herb garden with a Buddha in the middle and the animal graveyard with at St. Francis on a boulder looking over it. Now that I am 78 and creaky, I can’t do the gardens and I live In Ojai, California, a hot place and my garden is so different. I am so proud of my one hollyhock that survived and is a beautiful pink and giving me blossoms at the moment. I failed with my Matilla Poppy which needs to be on a dry hillside. But I am learning. Gardens make me feel so happy. Thanks for this wonderful newsletter.
Jacqueline says
Elizabeth, now that you have “teased” us, won’t you delight us with at least a few pictures of your gorgeous gardens?! PLEEEASE! Before and After??? Would you inspire us and show us what is possible?!
Veenita Dar says
Do watch this youtube video of Tasha Tudor’s garden–she illustrated Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=9zU-15to8d4&NR=1
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Veenita – Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the link.
Jeannie A says
Here is the full movie, Life With Father…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCcRuAw3XpU
I’m going to watch it now!
blessings, Jeannie
Rosemary says
Don’t forget the roses…even in black and white they’re beautiful…Mrs. Miniver.
Lynette says
Movies for Gardeners: Your Favorites & Mine
I love this section. I’m enjoying the movie suggestions, reminiscing the Oldies, and all the comments and sharing links.
Aloha,
Lynette,
Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii
Ela says
Nice list. I saw an amazing movie (more of a documentary) about artists and their gardens in my local cinema, and I would recommend: Painting the Modern Garden (2016, David Bickerstaff). It was based on an exhibition.