HISTORY OF MOSAICULTURE

By Katie Erickson, Director of Programs

The artwork in Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time was originally created by Mosaïcultures® Internationales de Montréal, a nonprofit organization considered to be the international leader of mosaiculture. Since its creation, it has presented five international competitions, seven exhibitions, and produced more than 100 works in over 20 countries. However, the origins of mosaiculture can be traced back to 19th century European landscape techniques.

OVER CENTURIES AND ACROSS THE GLOBE horticultural practices have focused on pruning and training plants to create ideal forms. The origin of European topiary dates from ancient Roman times, and throughout its history in Europe, topiary has taken geometric, fanciful, or architectural forms. Similar in technique – though not in name – is the meticulous horticultural practice of bonsai, the Japanese art that uses clipping and shaping techniques to create lifelike mature trees on a miniature scale.

The term ‘mosaiculture’ was adopted in France and then England in the 1870’s. Over time, various forms of mosaiculture were employed from designs using only foliage plants to those that incorporated minimal use of flowers for certain colors, and designs that used flowers only. Mosaïcultures® Internationales de Montréal debuted the types of mosaiculture sculptures as seen in Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time at Mosaïcultures Internationales (MIM2000) in Montreal in the summer of 2000.

While topiary and mosaiculture are both horticultural practices that result in the creation of living sculptures, there are key differences between the two. Topiary typically involves single, perennial trees or shrubs that are trained to create clearly defined shapes. In Texas, plants commonly used for topiary are Yuapon Holly and Glossy Abelia. Like topiary, mosaiculture – as envisioned by Mosaïcultures® Internationales de Montréal – produces clearly and beautifully defined shapes. However, unlike topiary, mosaicultures are made up of thousands of plants. The base for the forms of mosaiculture sculptures are metal frameworks, which are covered in a planting cloth and mesh, filled with soil and moss, and plugged with plants to create a beautifully complex patchwork of colors, textures, and shapes that bring the sculptures to life. Both horticultural practices rely on careful and frequent pruning to maintain the shape; mosaiculture depends on consistent watering due to the sheer amount of living plants as well as the atypical method of planting.

CREATE MAGIC OF YOUR OWN!

Mosaiculture At Home

Get inspired! Here are some basic steps for creating a mosaiculture sculpture at home:

1. CREATE A SHAPE with firm but pliable wire and wire mesh.

2. FILL THE FORM with a soil mixture, packing it firmly.

3. WRAP THE FORM with a landscape fabric.

4. CUT A SMALL HOLE in the landscape fabric, approximately the size of the plant root ball.

5. GENTLY PLUG IN PLANTS to create a design for the surface of the sculpture— sedums, grasses, ground covers, and other native plants are suggested. Sphagnum moss can be used for filler and to retain moisture.

6. CHECK DAILY to water and prune as needed.

7. ENJOY!

Take A Garden Class

Register for a class at the Garden today to learn other unique ways to plant:

Botanical Headpieces

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 | 6 – 8 P.M.

Create a botanical headpiece inspired by the mermaid in Imaginary Worlds using seasonal plant material. Gardener Chelsea Crisler will guide registrants on tips to arrange, secure, and maintain a live flower headpiece. The night ends with a guided tour of Imaginary Worlds

Beginners Bonsai Workshop

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 | 10 A.M. - 12:30

P.M. & 2 – 4 P.M.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 | 9 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.

Start your own bonsai journey! Learn about soil, equipment, possible species, and techniques used to nurture bonsais at home. All materials will be provided.

Indoor Hanging Garden

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 | 6 – 7:30 P.M.

Plants can be planted in extraordinary ways as seen in Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time. Spend the first day of summer creating an indoor hanging planting while enjoying a refreshing cocktail. Registrants will select from a variety of lush plants and decorative mosses. Ages 21+.

Planted Mosaic Design

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 | 6 – 7:30 P.M.

Create a planted mosaic design using succulents and stones inspired by the imaginative plantings of Mosaiculture. Discover how to create a healthy soil blend and care tips for outdoor planters.

Imaginary Worlds Once Upon A Time

A n Inside Look: BR INGING IMAGINARY WORLDS TO LIFE

By Andrew Labay, Director of Horticulture

PLANTS ARE REMARKABLE in their ability to adapt to different growing conditions, and Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time showcases this in spectacular ways. The art and science of horticulture will be on full display this summer as the Garden's dedicated team of gardeners care for the monumental sculptures located throughout the lush landscape.

The sculptures are constructed around a steel frame covered by layers of steel mesh, sphagnum moss, and potting media. Holding everything in place, black cloth is wrapped around the layers of media, and the plants are then "plugged" into the fabric by punching a hole and inserting their root ball. The outer layer consists of thousands of small plants: a ten-foot square area on a typical sculpture could consist of as many as 1,500 plants.

The horticulture team at the San Antonio Botanical Garden has worked closely with the Atlanta Botanical Garden to select plants that will create the "skin" of these beautiful sculptures. Plants were selected based on their tolerance for the hot, humid Texas summer and the textures and colors of their leaves. On display, guests will see many types of alternanthera, sedum, and succulents that can tolerate the full Texas sun. Hair is carefully constructed from grasses such as Mexican feather grass and sedges. In the shade, plants such as hypoestes and pilea add rich color to the magnificent creatures.

The key to maintaining a beautiful, living sculpture is plant care. Daily, sculptures will be irrigated primarily

BEFORE & AFTER

Once the forms have been plugged with plants, the sculptures begin to grow and change! From day-to-day, as the plants grow, the horticulture team keeps to a strict beauty regimen of trimming, watering, and pruning. Daily care keeps these plant giants looking their best!

by hand watering. The potting media is shallow, and each plant type requires different moisture levels. Light fertilizers will be applied regularly and help promote good plant growth. Every week, each sculpture will be pruned with an eye for design. Gardeners will use sheep shears to sculpt the shapes of each creature, molding the plants to look like, for example, skin or faces.

Caring for the sculptures requires great attention to detail and artistry . It takes a dedicated team of the Garden's horticulture staff and volunteers to bring the monumental sculptures to life and transport our Garden guests into fantastic childhood stories. Throughout the summer, stop by and say hello to any of the many gardeners carefully crafting the story of Imaginary Worlds

Imaginary Worlds Once Upon A Time

Rip Van Winkle