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

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