BBC Two visits Japanese gardens with Blink Films

BBC Two has commissioned Blink Films for a Monty Don-fronted series on Japanese gardens. 

The John Torode’s Asia producer and Alexandra Henderson Associates are to produce two-part series Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens (2 x 60 minutes), which will find the presenter and horticulturalist traveling to Japan in spring at the height of the cherry blossom season.

In a journey through Japan’s iconic and historic gardens, Don learns how to create a Zen landscape before visiting an unconventional garden created by a modern garden design legend. He also experiences the country’s famous tea ceremonies and learns the art of traditional flower arranging.

The programme is produced by Daisy Newton-Dunn and Georgie Yukiko Donovan, and executive produced by Alexandra Henderson. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton.

Exec producer Henderson said: “This is a real voyage of discovery in which Monty is shown how it can take 60 people to prune one pine tree and where every detail in a Japanese garden has its own significance.”

Dan Chambers, co-founder and creative dire at Blink Films added: “We’re delighted to be reuniting with Monty and BBC 2 for a new series which reveals not just the beauty of Japanese Gardens but also explores their association with the country’s culture past and present.”