LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — From the seasonal explosion of the Canada
pavilion’s floral displays to the ancient beauty of China’s
reflective ponds and water lilies, the gardens of Epcot are among
the most extensive at Walt Disney World Resort. In all 11
nations of World Showcase, the gardens set the stage to help
tell each country’s “story” and provide continuity and transition
from one nation to the next. This showplace of themed landscapes is
maintained by a horticulture staff of more than 50.
Many flowers, trees and shrubs are individually labeled, and a
casual walk around World Showcase reveals a colorful landscape of
beauty as guests also discover the culture, cuisine and
celebrations of 11 nations.
Mexico
Landscaping of the Mexico pavilion represents two regions of the
country: the jungle and the desert. Facing the Mayan temple, you
see plants and flowers typical of the jungle surrounding the
building. This section of the Mexico pavilion, with its several
varieties of palm trees, is the most tropical area represented at
Epcot. One of the most notable plants in this area is the floss silk tree, located
near the steps to the left of the temple. These showy trees present
springtime blossoms and, in other seasons, an odd-shaped fruit
hanging from its bare branches.
Epcot gardeners take great care to make this landscape look
“unmaintained” as if it were a genuine jungle. “We wanted to steer
clear of creating a ‘perfect’ landscape and use irregular spots of
colorful flowers to give it a more exotic look,” says Eric Darden,
Walt Disney World horticulturist.
Norway
The walk toward the Norway pavilion is lined on the right with
camphor trees, used around the World Showcase to provide continuity
and to soften the transition between the different landscapes. The
trees, which also provide shaded areas for guests, are “cousins” of
the cinnamon tree and are the source of camphor oil.
Approaching the Norway pavilion, one of the first things the eye
sees is the sod roof. This technique was often used in traditional
houses in mountainous regions of Norway as added insulation from
the cold.
Landscaping this pavilion was challenging because native
Norwegian plants cannot survive the Florida heat. In their place,
“look-alike” plants such as birch, maples and sycamores are used to
produce the same effect.
China
Chinese gardens follow completely different rules than those of
the West. “In Chinese gardening, there’s no central plan,” Darden
says. “Someone once said that if you want to create a Chinese
garden you could fly the plants up in a plane and push them out of
the window and wherever they land is where you plant them.” Things
in the garden don’t appear disorganized — just naturally placed.
For example, the grass in the China pavilion is not mowed, but
allowed to grow naturally producing a tufted appearance.
The one essential in every Chinese garden is water. As Darden
explains, an old Chinese saying states that “A garden without water
is like a portrait of a lady with her eyes closed.” The water is
usually still and frequently has water plants such as lilies or
lotuses growing in it. The lilies at the China pavilion actually
grow in containers placed underwater.
The Chinese respect age and want their gardens to appear old. Disney landscape architects have selected trees with “corkscrew” trunks or with “weeping” branches to help give the gardens a mature look. Here, a weeping mulberry — one of the most impressive trees in Epcot — can be found near the Nine Dragons Restaurant entrance. Other interesting trees native to China, such as the runner bamboo, are planted here. Also at the China pavilion are large rocks on the lagoon side of the promenade. The Chinese like to create “surprising views” throughout their landscapes as experienced by looking through the holes in the rocks toward the water.
Germany
Lining the front of the Germany pavilion is a row of sycamore
trees, carefully pruned during the winter months. This style of
pruning or “pollarding” originates in Europe and is used to control
the size of the trees in urban areas. Closer to the water are
flower beds filled with several varieties of Old World roses. Over
the past 120 years, the evolution of the rose has concentrated on
the importance of the flowers’ looks, rather than the strength of
the scent. But Old World roses, like the ones found in the Germany
pavilion, maintain a beautiful fragrance, are prolific bloomers and
have a stronger resistance to insects.
In order to fill this pavilion with color, many container
flowers, hanging baskets and window boxes enhance and decorate shop
areas. Ivy-geraniums, a flowering plant often used in window boxes
in Germany, do not thrive year-round in the Florida climate. To
create a similar look, Epcot gardeners combine two plants: English
ivy and traditional geraniums. Few Epcot guests notice the
difference.
Italy
“One of the most interesting parts of this area is the forced
perspective that is created,” Darden explains. “While most of the
others are closed in a horseshoe shape, the Italy pavilion is open
in the rear, drawing your eyes to the Italian cypress trees in the
background.” This architectural sleight of hand, along with the
help of carefully planned landscaping, tricks the eye into
believing the area is larger than it really is.
Container gardens bring the architecture to life here.
Grapevines on the trellis and near the statue in the rear further
enhance the Italy theme. Olive trees also can be found just outside
of the Delizie Italiane, but no fruit is produced by these trees
because of Florida’s humidity. Near the gondolas, citrus and
kumquat trees are planted to represent the Mediterranean region of
Italy.
The American Adventure
As the host country, The American Adventure pavilion is
constructed on higher ground and located in the center of World
Showcase. “This pavilion is by far the most formal, with its
soldier-like rows of magnolias, boxed hedges and precisely planted
annuals,” Darden says.
Designed after the old colonial-style architecture and
landscapes, this pavilion features a predominant color scheme of
red, white and blue flowers. The sycamore trees in America
Gardens Theatre are pleached — that is, their branches interlace,
creating a living ceiling over the area.
Japan
Unlike many of the other World Showcase nations, about 90
percent of the plants used in the Japan pavilion are native to that
country. While many people think garden style in Japan is similar
to China’s, differences are noticeable. In China, the ponds are
still and reflective, while in Japan the water is running and
active. Sounds also add another dimension to the Japanese garden –
notice the bamboo “clacker” near the bridge in front of the
Yakitori restaurant.
Unlike Chinese gardens, Japan’s are landscaped very
meticulously, with every tree and shrub placed and maintained to
achieve a specific look. Look for groupings of 3, 5 or 7 in our
Japan garden — these auspicious numbers are but one example of the
symbolism and meaning which can be found in the garden.
The trees in Japan undergo intensive pruning and training. The
painstaking work of Japan pavilion gardeners is evident when
observing wire twisted around a branch to direct its growth or
twine tied between branches to encourage a more classic style of
growth.
Morocco
The landscaping theme in the Morocco pavilion represents
agriculture, one of the country’s major industries. Sour orange
trees, mint and ornamental cabbages found here are typical of the
agrarian aspect of Morocco. Other agricultural landscaping includes
an olive tree and date palms. Another of Morocco’s most vital
resources, water, is found on the lagoon side of the pavilion.
France
The gardens in the France pavilion are light and airy,
reminiscent of a city park. Gazing toward the shops and film
attraction, guests notice the allee (avenue or pathway) of
trees ascending the incline. This allee, normally of linden
trees in France, is created with Natchez crape myrtle, which thrive
in Florida’s climate. To the right of this row of trees is Le Notre
Garden, an embroidered parterre garden where 985 shrubs are
shaped into the well-known fleur-de-lis design. And a circle of
crape myrtle trees (substituting for lilacs found in France) bloom
from early spring to late spring, adding abundant color to the
landscape.
On the way to the next pavilion, a much larger parterre
garden can be seen over the bridge.
United Kingdom
The perennial garden to the left side of the United Kingdom
pavilion promenade is filled with flowers that attract butterflies. In the herb garden near the replica of Anne Hathaway’s cottage,
a variety of herbs grow year-round. This is called a knot
garden because of the appearance of knots in the hedges. Farther
around the corner is a hedge maze, with walls of Japanese yew, a
plant often used to create shrub topiaries. Examples of Japanese
yew topiaries in traditional geometric shapes are found in front of
The Toy Soldier shop on the way to Canada.
Canada
The Canada pavilion features the largest World Showcase garden and the most labor-intensive landscape. It was inspired by the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia that were built by Jenny Butchart to beautify the limestone pits dug by her husband’s cement company. Seasonal color is showcased in this garden with sweeping beds and displays that include snapdragons, begonias, impatiens, geraniums and viola.
Garden Tour
Guests 16 and older interested in learning more about Epcot
landscaping can take the “Gardens of The World” tour. This
three-hour walking tour through World Showcase explores the styles
of landscaping represented in each pavilion. The tour cost is $59
per person (call 407/WDW-TOUR for reservations).
Each spring, the Walt Disney World Resort celebrates gardens and
gardening with the Epcot International Flower & Garden
Festival. Dates for this event may be obtained by calling Walt
Disney World Information at 407/824-4321.
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