This is our Garden Envy Bucket list.

Garden envy is a real thing…

You know the feeling when you walk through a garden, or see views of one online and you can’t help but covet the lush growth, exotic plants, ancient tall trees and perfectly manicured lines and beds…If you have never felt this, let’s introduce you to our list of the most enviable gardens in the world. We have found inspiration in movies, as well as internationally acclaimed gardens around the world. Formal, informal and natural gardens made the cut, (some of them are even found on the same premises).

Get popcorn and get inspired!

Nothing beats the cinematic views of a garden portrayed in a well-made movie.

Our favourite movie gardens are (in no particular order):

The traditional Japanese gardens as shown in Memoirs of a Geisha

The blooming cherry blossoms, the ancient, trained bonsai trees, and not to mention the breathtaking musical score by John Williams himself, these gardens are a true slave to the senses and a wonderful escape into a unique culture.

The garden scene is one of our all-time favourites!

If you want to see the place where the movie was filmed and experience the gardens for yourself, take a trip to Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga California.

The imposing tunnel of Live Oaks lining the avenue in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Although the film might be a bit of a hard-watch for some, given recent revelations about one of the main actors, the cinematic value of the breathtaking Wormsloe State Park in Georgia, USA, cannot be denied.

Should you want to visit this iconic scene, pack your sunhat and walking shoes as the State Park itself has numerous wonderful walking paths snaking through coastal forests and Marshes – a true journey into the heart of the American South.

The Gardens of Versailles, from any one of the brilliant movies made about Marie Antoinette.

These classic formal gardens, just southwest of Paris are one of the most famous garden complexes in the world. Planned, built, and expanded by four successive French monarchs, the impressive formal gardens, terraces and water features of the Palace of Versailles remain a delight to the senses to this day.

Although the French monarchy did not survive, the gardens have been kept in a wonderful state and are now well worth a visit. Pack your walking shoes and water bottles as these gardens are big…like get-lost-for-a-day vast!

If a trip to Europe isn’t in your budget, see the gardens in the film Marie Antoinette by Sofia Copolla. Not meant to be historically accurate, it’s a decadent delight to watch!

The 91^st street garden, Riverside Park, You’ve Got Mail

The first onscreen foray into online dating, this classic film shaped many millennials’ view on life, love and business rivalry. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are incomparable in their romantic chemistry and the final scene where they finally kiss in the garden is unforgettable. This scene was shot in Riverside Park, New York, more specifically in the 91^st street garden – an informal, almost wild garden of flowering shrubs and curved walkways. The perfect setting for romance. This garden is open to visitors and should you ever find yourself in New York, you can escape here for a bit of urban respite.

Honourable mentions.

If you are not a movie-person, there are still some amazing international gardens that deserve to be on your bucket list.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

First up is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, in the USA. These gardens have formal, informal, and wild sections, as well as indoor plant areas, giant glass statues and water features, seasonal attractions, and a truly world-class Orchid House with hundreds of rare and beautiful orchid varieties.

Strolling through the gardens and immersing yourself in the lush greenery is a feast for the senses after the insanity of Atlanta city gridlock traffic.

The Gardens at Highgrove

The estate of Highgrove is one of the former Prince of Wales’s (Now King Charles III) beloved places. This is, once again a mix between formal, informal and wild garden styles with a traditional Victorian “Stumpery” full of ferns, and a working Kitchen Garden producing products for the gift shop. There is something for everyone and it is well worth a day trip to spend time reflecting on the bounty of nature.

We don’t believe that envy is always a bad thing…in fact a little bit of it might just be the motivator you need for a fresh new take on your own garden! Watch a couple of movies, take a few trips and get growing.