An event it truly was – the Washington premiere of thecritically acclaimeddocumentary about topiary artist Pearl Fryarof Bishopville , South Carolina . wreak to us by the non-profit-making neighborhood - savedAvalon Theater , whichtriedto raise enough money to bring Fryar himself here for the premiere but that did n’t happen andKathy Jentzwas called on at the last minute to supply a reserve effect of some form . That turn out to be Kathy , myself and garden spell organizerCheval Force Oppas panelists reviewing the movie and answering motion ( playfulness ! ) Here ’s my review .
THE MANThe movie is aptly named because it ’s about one man and it ’s mainly interviews with his family line , neighbors , minister , city manager , the Chamber of Commerce ( Fryar ’s quite a boon to his dispirited little town ) , and tourists who ’ve come to visit his far-famed garden . Fryar IS lovable and admirable for working severely , do it his wife , inspire child , and wowing middle - elderly women of all wash with his spicy trunk . ( For substantial – I agree completely with the tourist who blushingly fink that shesureliked watch over him move . Trim and muscular at 66 , Fryar scurry up ladders and wields his electrical hedgers withamazingagility . )
And he produce a big topiary star sign across the front of his garden that reads “ Love , Peace , and Goodwill . ” Amen to that .
THE ARTHis leafy conception arevery nerveless , mainly abstracts , and the movie admit well interviews with artsy types admiring his talent and conversing about negative place and all that . As out of mode as this type of horticulture may be , even the most naturalistic of gardeners will prize that make beauty with live things that are lovingly tended is middling awesome material .
BUT WHERE ’S THE GARDENING?While the movie teaches us that growing a 3 - Accho topiary garden is a helluva lot of work and not for the down - maintenance crew , it has nothing to say about the 40 unlike species that Fryar rise , information that ’s available only onhis website . And while we ’re told that he teaches the art of topiary , we do n’t see him do it or find outhowthis self - taught pruning genius does what he does . No mention of the different growth patterns of all those plants and and how Fryar learned to harness them so skilfully . or else of learn us a matter or two about work with plants , the movie simply labels him a “ Plant Whisperer ” and leaves it at that .
So gardeners , be disposed to be a little discomfited by this picture show and its lost opportunity .
We do learn one incredible piece of gardening information – that Fryar uses no pesticides at all . Of course he mulch like all constitutional nurseryman do , but how can thick shrubs sheered to form impenetrable casings through which no light or tune can sink in perhaps face so goodish ? Is n’t that what arborists andpruning teachersall say NOT to do ? You ’re best believe I said exactly that to the audience , and I consider I concluded that remark with my clenched fist in the airwave give a little sunniness : “ Go , pruning ! ” . ( I ’m afraid it ’s rightful . )
Still and all , I was charm and pep up by the man named Pearl and indicate you put the movie about him in your Netflix queue .
REMEMBERING HGTV ’S ERICA GLASENERSeeing the movie made me lament , once again , the loss of my all - time preferent horticulture show , which highlighted Fryar year before moviemakers and “ CBS Sunday Morning ” discovered him . “ A Gardener ’s Diary ” was hosted by actual plantsman Erica Glasener , who come up passionate , sometimes far-out gardener all over the U.S. to interview in depth while strolling through their garden at a easy pace . You roll in the hay , the full antonym of those frenetic weekend make - over shows we all rant about . But judge what – she ’s back!Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. Program your Tivo or VCR and enjoy !
