Well, I have to admit that I was more than a little surprised when Uri Geller agreed to be interviewed about his garden.
It’s almost uncanny how the circumstances prevailed to result in our meeting.
I suppose that’s not too surprising when you consider who we’re talking about, but thankfully it all did come about, and I’m most grateful to Uri Geller for his time and permission.
So… I suppose you’re wondering just what Uri Geller has to do with gardening and garden design. In that case you’ve come to the right place.
Set in a tranquil area of Berkshire, Uri Geller’s home is somewhat reminiscent of the famous White House but with a certain hint of magic in the air - and that was just his garden… or “gardens” to be more precise.
As I arrived through the silently opening electric gates we noticed a delightful sloping bed of flowers and shrubs in front of the house. My first impression was how well cared for all the plants, hedges and trees looked.
After introductions I was lead through to the conservatory where I was greeted by Uri’s brother-in-law Shipi and Uri’s wife Hanna.
“You know,” Uri said, “I think that this must be the favourite room in the house.
I train here on my exercise bike every single day I’m home… we eat here… entertain here… and it feels as if we’re outside… in contact with the nature we’re surrounded by…” It certainly did feel that way as the conservatory was surrounded by the outside grounds together with beautiful views without having to face the winter elements outside.
From the conservatory I could see the tops of willows and conifers in a small clump of trees.
Soon I was being lead outside for the much-anticipated tour of the gardens.
Uri was so keen to show me his gardens and his enthusiasm was such as if it was his own first time seeing them himself. “I think it’s important for everyone to be able to get out to nature once in a while…” he said as he led me to the Rose Gardens first.
“It’s too easy to get wrapped up in our busy lives and forget that we come from nature… it’s important to re-establish that contact often and become grounded…”
As we walked around the rose trees Uri pointed over to where he was sitting when he stopped Big Ben. “Do you ever do any gardening?” I asked.
He laughed.
“I only wish I had more time, although I’m quite lucky because the time I spend in my garden I spend enjoying it and being in it instead of having to work in it… “
The magnificent gardens were surrounded by immaculately trimmed hedges in a battlement style with an expanse of lawn leading down towards the Thames.
“Another way in which I am very lucky,” Uri went on, “is the way in which I can share my garden in a positive and powerful way. I regularly bring groups of disable people here to enjoy this place, and I always hear how much energy and fun they have… and that’s got to be positive and healing…
not a cure… but healing…”
As we walked I could hear the sound of running water, and although I knew that the Thames was nearby, I wasn’t too sure as to where the sound was coming from.
When I did find out it was a wondrous surprise. Although I had seen the willows and conifers from a distance and from the conservatory, I hadn’t realised that they were guarding a hidden garden.
Getting closer to this clump of trees gave away the secret; within was a beautiful oriental garden, together with a large waterfall, small lake, and a stone lantern complete with a bridge over the lake. “I love to meditate here,” Uri said as we sat down on a bench in this tiny forest, and I could understand why.
The atmosphere was utterly tranquil as the sound of the lapping and flowing water.
This hidden garden was truly magical - as if a world somehow separate from everything around it, and yet it belonged to the rest of the landscape in a completely natural way.
A few times Uri had to leave in order to answer a telephone in the house or to send an urgent fax or e-mail and would apologise. “My publisher… an editor… ” he would say each time he came back.
“What do you think of all the gardening programmes on television,” I asked.
“Somehow I think we’re trying to re-establish our contact with nature at the moment. You see, there’s this fantastic technological advancement happening and we all seem to be leading busier lives now and I believe that we subconsciously or psychically know what to turn to in order to find our balance… and so we’re turning to nature close to home… like our gardens.”
All too soon we left the oriental garden and walked along the huge lawn with a helicopter pad in the middle and soon we came to the greenhouses. “I’m a vegan, and we grow our own organic fruit and vegetables,” Uri indicated.
We walked around until we came out through a walkway between a massive flowerbed just in front of the swimming pool. I couldn’t help asking. “Have you ever had any psychic experiences to do with your garden or plants?”
Uri laughed. “I think that good gardeners themselves must have psychical qualities. All of us know of someone who you might give a plant to because it might be dying, and only a few days later with that someone the plant recovers and grows better. We say these people have a green thumb but I believe there’s more in it.. there’s an energy between everything… people… animals… plants… even minerals from the earth like crystals. I think that all things pick up on positive energies…”
“So you’re saying that to be a good gardener we should be more positive?”
“Why not?” He replied. “If you’re not going to be positive about something, then you might as well not do it. But I think we owe it to the world to be more positive and loving to its fruits.”
Finally the garden tour was over and again Uri had to go inside to make an urgent
telephone call. While we waited outside having one final look, and soon the day was over.
Looking back at the day, what struck us was the fact this garden was used for simply one purpose - to enjoy - and to be in.
Occasionally when things would get busy, Uri would go for a short stroll through his gardens as if to mull something over or simply to de-stress.
Uri was actually enjoying the nature of this garden… the fresh air… the energy…
Never mind being an expert and know what plant likes what particular type soil, or what particular feeding method a plant likes - no plant snobbery at all.
None.
Whether we accept it or not, a garden has a fundamental link with nature and our tending of our gardens goes back to our own very beginnings.
Of course fashions influence the trends and techniques of gardening and garden design whether they be modern or more natural, but gardens were around long before we were… and they’ll be around long after… no matter how we try and “dress” them.
In another posting I’ll tell you all about how I was lucky enough to be commisioned to redesign parts of Uri Geller’s garden!
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© Copyright Judy Fenyvesi
A few years ago I was commissioned to recreate a tropical rain forest in the heart of London’s West End. 
providing you just give them a hot sheltered spot in a bed of good compost with some general feed and you water well, you’ll be rewarded with their exquisite display. 
