Incredible Horticulturalists!

[phesina]

Once every three years, there is an
international competition in horticultural sculpture, called
"mosaiculture," in a major city in the world. In 2013 it was
Montreal. This is not topiary but rather creating sculptures out
of living plants. The greatest horticulturalists in the world,
from 20 different countries, submitted plans a year in advance.
Steel armatures were then created to support the works (some 40 feet
high); they were then wrapped in steel mesh and filled with dirt and
moss and watering hoses. Then they ordered 3 million plants of
different shades of green and brown and tan, and these were grown in
greenhouses all over Quebec. In late May, these horticulturalists
came to Montreal and planted all of their plants in the forms at the
Montreal Botanic Gardens, and they have been standing for three months
now. There were 50 major sculptures along a path two miles long.

If you would like to visit a few and walk along the path, click on
http://myvirtualgarden2.blogspot.com/2013/09/mosaiculture-exhibition.html

[Karen]

How fun! Love the animals, like the Sheep!

57793

That takes such planning, hard work - and most of all patience!

[Randi]

Wow, they are amazing, and so beautiful. The butterfly, the frog, the swan... oh, all of them!

Thanks for sharing! :)

[phesina]

I wonder how long they last! That's all live foliage, that must keep growing out.. getting rather shaggy-looking after a while, I should think.

And then there's the Montreal winter now!

[phesina]

The sign at the start said the exhibition was from 22 June through 29 September.. So I wonder, did they come and take all these down then? And then do what with all those still-live plants?

[momcat]

This is totally awesome!!! I have a lot of respect and admiration for the people that not only think this up but actually make it happen. Thank you so much for sharing this, Pat. It's definitely a keeper.