When Colin Briggs, a convicted murderer, is placed in the experimental H.M.P. Edgefield programme to complete his prison sentence, he only wants one thing: peace and quiet. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets his wise and elderly cellmate, Fergus, who introduces him to the world of gardening. What starts as a simple distraction evolves into a deep passion for plants that ultimately changes Colin’s life forever. This is a story of rehabilitation, second chances, and the healing power of nature. Watch Greenfingers Free and experience how gardening helps Colin rebuild his life and find redemption.
Initially, Colin Briggs has little interest in the prison’s gardening programme. He simply wants to serve his time quietly without drawing attention. But when he is introduced to gardening by Fergus, a fellow inmate who is a recovering alcoholic, Colin discovers an unexpected talent. Fergus, who has spent years in prison for killing his three wives, encourages Colin to cultivate a small garden patch. Soon, Colin finds himself enjoying the serenity that gardening offers, and his skill for growing plants begins to flourish.
The first significant moment comes when Colin secretly plants a patch of double-violets, only for a disagreement to break out among his cellmates. This dispute over the flowers catches the attention of Warden Gov. Hodge, who decides to assign Colin the task of cultivating a garden alongside fellow prisoners Tony, Jimmy, and Raw. Colin, initially reluctant, begins to take pride in his work, unknowingly setting the stage for a series of events that will transform his life forever.
Things take a turn for the better when Georgina Woodhouse, a renowned gardener and author, visits the prison’s garden and offers a glowing review. Impressed by the inmates’ work, Georgina sees potential in their skills and recruits them for a work-release programme, giving them the chance to work on a prestigious estate. While on the job, Colin begins to develop feelings for Georgina’s daughter, Primrose. Despite some opposition from the Board of Trustees, Georgina arranges for the prisoners to compete in the famous Hampton Court Flower Show.
However, things are not as simple as they seem. During their time working on the estate, a priceless tapestry is stolen, and the police suspect one of the prisoners may be involved. Tony, the prime suspect, runs away, and the invitation to the Flower Show is canceled. The inmates are devastated, but Colin, now fully committed to gardening, tells the parole board that his newfound passion has helped rehabilitate him. As a result, Colin is approved for early release, marking a major turning point in his journey.
Upon his release, Colin moves into a spare room on the Woodhouse estate, where he continues his gardening work. His romantic relationship with Primrose blossoms, though it causes concern for Georgina, who fears for her daughter’s safety. Despite the growing bond between Colin and Primrose, the past continues to haunt Colin. He confesses to Fergus that, when he was 18, he killed his younger brother in a blind rage after discovering that the brother had been having an affair with the girl Colin was about to marry.
As time passes, the stolen tapestry is recovered, and the Edgefield prisoners are once again invited to compete in the Hampton Court Flower Show. However, Colin’s journey takes another unexpected twist. Jimmy and Raw inform Colin that Fergus’s health is failing, and the emotional toll on Colin becomes overwhelming. To break off his relationship with Primrose in order to focus on the competition, Colin makes a drastic decision. He steals a bunch of yellow roses from a flower shop and leaves them at Primrose’s doorstep with a note telling her that their relationship must end.
With the future of the prison gardening team in jeopardy, the visiting Home Secretary requests that the inmates create a desert-like rock garden for the Flower Show as a symbol of imprisonment. Colin, frustrated with the assignment, works reluctantly alongside his fellow prisoners. But things take a tragic turn when Fergus passes away. In his grief, Colin destroys the rock garden by setting it on fire under the cover of night, allowing the Edgefield gardeners to create a new, lush garden from scratch.
At Hampton Court, Colin scatters Fergus’s ashes in the garden they created, symbolizing both the loss of his friend and his growth as a person. When the prisoners’ garden fails to place in the competition, Warden Hodge expresses his pride in their efforts. Yet, the story doesn’t end there. In a remarkable twist, Colin, Raw, and Jimmy are invited to meet with Queen Elizabeth, who privately tells them that she believes their garden was unfairly judged. This gesture of recognition is a powerful symbol of the prisoners’ redemption through their work.
Though the Edgefield team does not win at the Flower Show, their participation becomes a symbol of the power of rehabilitation through nature. An epilogue reveals that the Edgefield gardeners go on to win some of the most prestigious gardening awards in the future, proving that their time at Hampton Court was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. The journey of Colin Briggs, from convicted murderer to accomplished gardener, is a testament to the transformative power of gardening and the human spirit.
If you haven’t already seen it, don’t miss the chance to Greenfingers watch free and witness the incredible transformation of Colin Briggs and his fellow inmates. Their journey from prisoners to award-winning gardeners is a story of hope, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Watch Greenfingers now and discover how gardening can heal not just the soil, but also the soul.