Today Laura Snyder is taking us on a trip to a truly special garden display.
I saw this display back in 2017, but I felt it was too spectacular not to share with your readers. I took these images on a visit with two of the members of my local garden group. You will see from my photos that a number of historical and cultural figures and scenes are represented: Anne of Green Gables, hockey night in Canada, a Mountie, fur trappers, Inuit and North American Indians, etc. This was a stunning collection made almost entirely of plants.
The display was called MOSAÏCANADA and appeared in Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec. Artists combined sculpture and horticulture to create these living works of art. The plantings are all annuals, chosen for the foliage color, not flowers, to make a long-lasting display. These types of plantings developed in France in the late 1800s and were popular in Victorian times, but they since have fallen out of favor. What a treat to see this intense and labor-intensive art form on display in a public garden today!
Anne of Green Gables, made of plants.
A Canadian Mountie. The scale of these creations is astonishing—more than life-size, as the people in this photo make clear.
How adorable are these foxes?
A fisherman riding on waves of flowers gets watered by an attentive gardener. The sculptures have internal irrigation systems but clearly require a lot of care and attention to keep them looking perfect.
Puffins!
These shaggy buffalo may be my very favorite! I want one for my garden.
This is Canada, so of course there had to be a hockey-themed planting.
And finally, a moving image of the beauty and richness gifted to us all by Mother Nature.
These creations are so exciting and cool. Is anyone tempted to try and make something similar in their own home garden? It might be fun to try, but I’m sure much harder than it even looks.
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Comments
Love the fisherman.
Yes - he was cleaver.
Great to see these again. Not to divert, but for more pictures of the same garden, here is a link to September 2017 GPOD https://www.finegardening.com/article/a-3d-celebration-of-garden-art-in-canada
It is a fantastic art method, and the last photo in the September GPOD shows the planting system they use (should you want to try your hand at home).
Back in 2016, I submitted photos from Montreal's Mosaiculture which was an international display from over 22 countries. These appear internationally in different years, but haven't been able to find definite upcoming dates....if anyone is interested in including it in their Summer travel plans :-)
Good times.
Wow! I've seen a few of these before but never the array you've captured. I think the musk oxen may be my favorite, too!
I think I sent in 15 different subjects and there were probably one or two dozen that I didn't send in my collection.
Beyond amazing...they are the living plant versions of Chihuly Glass art installations. It is such a privilege to see such impressive and inspiring works in person...lucky you, Laura.
It was a world class exhibit and to have it free of admission was the icing on the cake.
The musk oxen really rocked me back in my chair! How wonderful!
Wouldn't it be a treat to have one of these in the back yard? Might keep the deer away ;)
So much to love! Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos - the creativity of the folks who made these is unbelievable. On an aside, Anne of Green Gables (and Anne of Windy Poplars) remains one of my favorite books.
I have to admit I only first read Anne in my 40s. Glad these images were appreciated. Happy weekend wishes your way.
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