Christopher Clayton Toronto Landscape Architect / Garden Designer | Canada News

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For lovers of all things to do with gardens

Great garden themes in books and a movie

Occasionally I find time to spend on pursuits other than actually designing gardens – such as reading and going to the movies. But somehow, they seem to involve gardens anyway.

First, there’s the Ann Ripley murder mystery series. Ripley is the author of Mulch, Death of a Garden Pest, Death of a Political Plant and more – a total of 10 novels so far. Her heroine hosts a TV garden show and solves the odd mystery as she travels around the USA. I’ve read five of her books and am utterly delighted by Ann Ripley’s non-sequitors, which only a garden-lover would love. She includes, in her stories, comments that go off on completely unexpected tangents.

Some of these delights are:

- the etiquette of the does and don’ts while on a garden tour

- being aware of sounds and fragrance in your garden

- the passions and intrigues of international plant breeding

- the case for native plant conservation & property rights to do what ever you want on your property

- weeding and pruning in your garden as mental therapy to work out whatever ails

- whether or not to follow the latest in garden trends

- making plans to fulfill your romantic dreams of a garden

- dealing with invasive plants in your neighbourhood or county garden

- the aesthetics of rocks and stone placement

- the trials and tribulations of water in your garden

- sharing your garden with wildlife or not

- mulch, manure and compost — rotting stuff actually improves your garden

- birds, butterflies and bugs to delight the eye and benefit your garden

Then there’s Greenfingers – a 2001 British movie, starring Clive Owen. It’s based on the true life story of a convict who found personal redemption through gardening. The plot veers away from reality too much when it includes subplots about girlfriends, loss and betrayal; these are not germane to the core facts. What’s really fascinating is its examination of the life of a British convict who becomes engrossed in a garden her starts on the prison grounds. His work eventually even draws in some of his hardened fellow inmates. They make a garden so impressive, it inspires the warden to enter them in the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. Luckily, at this point the plot stays true to life. To say any more now would spoil the end of the movie. While not worthy of an Oscar – it didn’t win one nor was it nominated – it does compellingly portray the totally absorbing urge to design a garden and see your vision to completion.

Enjoy!

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