The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND
This is the first documentary ever produced about the life and gardens of Beatrix Farrand, the most successful female landscape architect in early 20th century America and one of the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
This compelling film chronicles the life of Beatrix Farrand (1872-1959), the niece of Edith Wharton, who grew up in the privileged world of the East Coast elite and fought through the challenges of working in a male-dominated profession in order to design over 200 landscapes during her remarkable 50 year career.
The documentary takes viewers on an inspiring journey across the country and the world as we explore her personal story and many of her most spectacular gardens, including Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C.; the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden; Garland Farm in Bar Harbor, Maine; the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Bar Harbor, Maine; as well as her California gardens.
The narrative is recounted through interviews with Farrand scholar Diana Balmori, landscape historian Judith Tankard, and landscape architect Shavaun Towers. Photographs and footage of more than 50 Farrand-related sites, along with archival images from the Beatrix Farrand Archives at the University of California, Berkeley among others, are woven together to bring to life Beatrix Farrand’s extraordinary story, reminding us why her awe-inspiring work is still relevant to this day.
Filmmaker Karyl Evans
Karyl Evans is a six-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker. Ms. Evans, owner of Karyl Evans Productions LLC in North Haven, Connecticut has produced more than 100 historical documentary projects over her 30 year career. Karyl is on the National Speakers List for the Garden Club of America and is a Fellow at Yale University. Karyl Evans’s documentary film work was honored with the Zone II Historical Preservation Award from the Garden Club of America in 2018.
Beatrix Farrand is an inspiration to me. Over the years I have photographed Beatrix Farrand gardens from Maine to California, visiting her extensive archives at the University of California, Berkeley, and interviewing scholars and head gardeners who know her work in great detail. With my degree in horticulture/landscape architecture, I could see for myself the sophistication and timelessness of her work and her vast knowledge of plants. Then when I learned that Beatrix Farrand had a successful 50 year career, including 200 commissions in the early 1900s, I decided I had to make a documentary about this pioneering woman. I feel compelled to share the impressive career of landscape architect Beatrix Farrand with as many people as possible. Even after completing my film, I continue to research and photograph Beatrix Farrand designed gardens as well as interview scholars, head gardeners, and Farrand enthusiasts for future projects. ~ Filmmaker Karyl Evans
Scheduling and Purchase
To schedule a screening of The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND or to purchase a license to screen the film for any group setting - please contact the filmmaker at karyl@karylevansproductions.com To purchase a DVD or download of the film for your private use, please go to the Purchase Page on this website.
Screening Reviews
The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND was selected as a Recommended Gift by the Garden Club of American.
As President of the Beatrix Farrand Society, I want to let you know that we were thrilled to show your masterfully crafted film on Beatrix Farrand. It was by far the most successful event in both attendance and positive feedback that we have ever had. We were all duly impressed with the way you are able to put your well-researched information together in such an eloquently concise and comprehensive way. Your film got such a strong response and does such a great job telling the story of Beatrix Farrand's life and work that we would very much like to use it in the future as an integral part of our forthcoming programs.
~ Scott Koniecko, President, Beatrix Farrand Society, Bar Harbor, Maine
I think you’d agree that the event was a truly great success. I think the film masterfully conveyed the message that, while we may not see many classically-designed landscapes today, those of Beatrix Farrand that exist are still appreciated and admired and are important to our cultural landscape history. You’ve done a wonderful deed in capturing the beauty, sophistication, and legacy of Beatrix Farrand and her gardens. I hope you were as pleased with the evening as we were. Bravo! And thank you!
~ Chase Rynd, Hon. ASLA, Executive Director, National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
The sold-out event was a tremendous success and earned extremely positive feedback from a capacity audience of 110 attendees. The film garnered high praise from audience members who were also excited to hear from the film’s creator in person. Ms. Evans gave fascinating insight into the making of the film and her exhaustive research on Beatrix Farrand. Many guests commented on the film’s stunning presentation and the skill with which an extremely prolific career was encapsulated effectively in a short documentary format. The prestigious event was a high programming point on which to close our summer season!
~ Deborah Waugh, Green Spring Gardens, National Historic Site, Alexandria, Virginia
Karyl Evans’s documentary film provides beautiful and engaging insights into the life and works of Beatrix Farrand. It makes me long to visit Farrand’s important gardens and to learn more about this icon of American landscape architecture.
~ Debbie Edwards, Former President, Garden Club of America
I am the chairman of my club’s Garden History and Design committee and on Monday I hosted them for a viewing of your fabulous film. Beatrix Farrand is an inspiration and your film brought her to life in such a remarkable way. The narrative was so expertly woven into the beautiful feast of images and the committee’s curiosity has now been piqued to learn more about the work she did for Oberlin College. To inspire others to want to learn more is a mark of success and you have inspired us. We are in awe of your immense talent and we thank you for this wonderful film.
~ Mary H Harman, GCA Director, Zone X, Country Garden Club, Perrysburg, Ohio
I wanted to compliment you again on the professionalism of your film. It was a delight to experience, and I think it would the basis of a fascinating program for GCA clubs. I know I would like to recommend your presentation to our Program Committee. Thank you for the privilege of being able to see your magical production. I enjoyed it very much.
~ Patricia Spaght, Zone II Director, Garden Club of America
The film was a huge hit and thank you for sharing it with us. It was impressive how much you researched about Beatrix and the presentation was informative and beautiful.
~ Missy Jenson, Conservation Committee Chairman, Garden Club of America and the Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club, California
It is a wonderful film and a stellar selection of projects.
~ Judith Tankard, Landscape Historian and Beatrix Farrand Scholar
Past Screenings
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, Massachusetts
The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rosecliff, Newport, Rhode Island
Ambler Arboretum, Temple University, Ambler, Pennsylvania
Inaugural program for the Annual Women in Horticulture Lecture Series at Ambler Arboretum
Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, New Haven, Connecticut
Co-sponsored by Connecticut Humanities and in partnership with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture
Garden Club of New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut
Yale University Planning Department, New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven Documentary Film Festival, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Ocean Reef Garden Club, Key Largo, Florida
Garden Club of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut
Fairfield Garden Club, Fairfield, Connecticut
Essex Library, Essex, Connecticut
Enfield Garden Club, Enfield, Connecticut
Leete’s Island Garden Club, Branford, Connecticut
Jonathan Edwards College, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
The Club at Morys, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Barrington Garden Club, Barrington, Rhode Island
Cheshire Public Library, Cheshire, Connecticut
Branford Garden Club, Branford, Connecticut
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut