Two New Films About Gardeners as Artists

The spring of 2018 could provide great cross-pollination for gardeners and flower lovers ­­— and it has nothing to do with what’s going on outside.

There are two new documentaries about important garden designers: “The Gardener” about the Hudson River Valley’s Frank Cabot, who founded The Garden Conservancy; and “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf” about the creator of the Dutch Wave movement and designer of the High Line in lower Manhattan. 

 Both of these films examine their subjects as artists who have a passion for their palettes, the landscape. Both men are constantly searching for their own idea of beauty —how to find it, what it means in nature and how to present it to others in the garden. And that is where the similarities end. 

Cabot, who died in 2011, was a charming aristocrat who came to garden his family’s magnificent 40 acre estate in the Charlevoix region of Canada after business reversals left him wondering what to do with his life. His wife suggested making some riding paths and from that small idea, he found his true métier, became a self-taught horticulturalist, and made two astonishing gardens — Les Quatre Vents in Canada, (open four days in the summer,) and Stonecrop in Cold Spring, N.Y. In addition, by founding The Garden Conservancy he gave back generously to the garden world. 

Oudolf, on the other hand, started a small nursery in Hummelo, Holland, with his wife Anja, when he was 19.  His gardens have become about a shift in perspective, seeing plants through their four seasons — not just at their big moment — and caring about their structure, leaves, seed heads, growth habits, as much or possibly more than the fleeting flower moment (Since most of the blooms — azalea, peony, phlox, rose — only last about two weeks, it’s logical. But in all honesty, it takes some time to finally realize you don’t even know what your garden looks like in the dead of winter, during the mud season of very early spring or a dark, rainy fall afternoon.)  Oudolf has become, arguably, the most famous garden designer working today and yet has been welcoming to thousands who visit his home and garden for inspiration every year.

As I watched the two films, I began to think of Cabot as Delphinium and Oudolf as the quirky Joe Pye weed.  Not surprisingly, Mr. Delphinium goes back to ancient traditions and theories of beauty for his answers while Mr. Joe Pye totally shifts the perspective on how to see nature’s bounty. For instance, Oudolf has taken what were considered weeds and reconfigured them as important plants in his designs.

Is one of these movies better than the other? Come on, does Delphinium beat Joe Pye?

To tell you more would be to ruin your pleasure. Go see both. Watching them was like taking a hit of Miracle Gro plantfood — I felt a little guilty, but it was really energizing. 

“The Gardener” will be shown at the Moviehouse in Millerton, April 7 at 7 p.m., Q&A session with Bunny Williams and Gregory Long (president of The New York Botanical Garden) will follow the film. 

“Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf,” April 9, at 7 p.m. the Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave. Greenwich, Conn. Tickets $25 at the door or call 203-869-9242 to reserve.