George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life, a unique exhibition on view at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL, explores the meaningful connection between musician George Harrison, lead guitarist of The Beatles, and the pastime of gardening, which became his greatest passion. On view through June 29, 2025, A Gardener’s Life has broken attendance records of previous special exhibitions since its opening on February 9, 2025. Exhibition images and a video tour can be accessed here.
The exhibition has also attracted the attention and support of The Beatles’ Official Facebook page and the George Harrison website.
In 1970, not long after The Beatles disbanded, the then 27-year-old musician purchased the estate Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames in the UK. Built by Sir Frank Crisp in 1889, the once grand Victorian mansion with spectacular gardens had fallen into disrepair. With the help of his wife Olivia Harrison, George revitalized the neglected property, consisting of the mansion, lodges, and 32 acres of grounds, deepening his love of gardening. Friar Park also provided inspiration for his music. He featured the mansion and gardens on album covers and in videos.
Selby Gardens has reimagined some of the Friar Park gardens through horticultural vignettes across its 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus including original garden designs by Crisp and more recent gardens planted by George and Olivia. Highlights include a topiary and sundial garden; an alpine rock garden complete with a scale model of the Matterhorn; a knot garden in the shape of a kolam, a geometrical Indian line drawing; a knot garden design that plays on the treble clef; and a hedge maze.
The Tropical Conservatory features stunning displays of plants. One incorporates Barry Feinstein’s iconic photo of Harrison from the album cover for All Things Must Pass; a sculptural garden combines water, weeping plants, and electric guitars – a nod to his Beatles hit While My Guitar Gently Weeps; and a palm garden references the cover design of his solo album Living in the Material World. A selection of Harrison’s music plays throughout the Conservatory.
The Museum of Botany & the Arts features a dynamic collection of photographs and video of George and his crews working on the estate grounds, maps and photographic references to Crisp’s original designs, and personal
Selby Gardens gratefully acknowledges the guidance and support of the Harrison family archive in the development of this exhibition.
