MosaïCanada 150 isn’t any old garden! The exhibit of living sculptures celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation took $10-million, 100 gardeners and 3 million plants to create.

Upon arrival at Ottawa airport, our friendly cab driver couldn’t recommend the exhibit highly enough, but I struggled to grasp what it was really about. The next day I wandered over the Ottawa River to see for myself… and I was blown away! Wandering the one-kilometre garden path with other awestruck visitors I witness a display of living sculptures immense in size and detail, representing Canadian culture. From Anne of Green Gables to the folklore of the First Nations people, thirty-three artworks represent Canada’s ten states and three territories. There are also contributions from Beijing and Shanghai, China which do not fail to impress.

What is mosaïculture?

Mosaïculture, as the art form is referred to in French, involves bedding plants into mosaic-like forms to represent two- and three-dimensional images. The technique is historically rooted in embroidered flower beds that composed Renaissance gardens and grew in popularity through the Victorian period. Though mosaïculture became unfashionable during the early 20th century it has made a recent return, evolving into ever more complexity and difficulty to execute.

Creating mosaïculture masterpieces

To create the kind of larger-than-life figures featured in MosaïCanada 150, steel frames are formed and covered with mesh. The mesh supports a heavy layer of moss and soil that is seeded with plants. Water is delivered to the flora through an underlying network of irrigation channels.

Creating a living sculpture involves the plant knowledge of a horticulturalist, colour theory of a painter and the understanding of structure and volume like a sculptor. Plants need to blossom in the right place, at the correct time to bring the sculptures to life. Annuals are used, as opposed to flowers, to ensure the sculptures are blossoming throughout the length of the exhibit. This is not an art form for the faint-hearted.

Enjoy a walk through MosaïCanada 150…

Disclosure: I may earn compensation from the purchase of any product or service linked on this website, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I use and love, therefore feel comfortable recommending.

If you missed MosaïCanada 150, never fear! The display will return to Ottawa in 2018, running between June 24 and October 15, with an entry fee of CAD20. The International Mosaïculture Committee also run competitions every 2-3 years, so keep your eyes peeled for an opportunity to see magnificent living sculptures in the future.

Find flights to Ottawa with Skyscanner.

Search for accommodation using Tripadvisor.

Don’t forget travel insurance, I recommend Seven Corners or World Nomads.

For more inspiring things to do in Ottawa, pop on over to the Creative Corners City Guide for the Canadian capital.

Peace, love & inspiring travel,

Madam ZoZo