The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2023 has begun, with several Global Gardens throughout the park. New gardens this year include the “Shishi-odoshi” garden in the Japan Pavilion and The Community Garden in World Celebration, featuring topiaries of Daisy and Donald.
Bamboo Garden – China Pavilion
Visit this garden to see bamboo in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes.
This garden is along the water to the side of the China Pavilion.
“Did you know bamboo are members of the grass family?” the sign reads. “In fact, they’re the largest of all grasses.”
“Bamboo can be found in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. And in Chinese culture, a gift of bamboo is thought to bring luck to those who receive it.”
Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy – World Showcase Bridge
Follow your nose and form lasting memories with the help of fresh, unforgettable fragrances.
Blossoms of Fragrance is on the bridge leading from World Celebration to World Showcase, across the water from the Imagination! Pavilion.
“Of all five senses, scent is most strongly connected to memory,” this sign explains. “A note of lilac, a hint of citrus—any one fragrance has the power to evoke vivid recollections with staggering clarity.”
“Follow your nose through this scented garden and cherish lasting memories with the help of fresh, unforgettable fragrances and their many botanical varieties.”
Large butterfly topiaries are throughout this garden.
Some of the scenes in the garden include French lavender, mint fields, and sunkissed citrus.
Bold Bromeliads – The Land Pavilion
Observe a variety of unique and colorful plants that can adapt to a wide range of climates and conditions.
Bold Bromeliads is near the entrance to The Land Pavilion. “Bromeliads can be found in an astounding variety of locations from dry, rock hillsides to tall trees in the rainforest. The members of this flowering plant family vary widely too, from pineapples to Spanish moss.”
This garden fills the planters leading up The Land Pavilion’s ramp.
A tall bromeliad towers over the pathway.
Bonsai Collection – Japan Pavilion
Learn about the art of bonsai, some of the finest living sculptures. Bonsai masters carefully shape and tend these miniature works of art, creating peace and balance with the earth.
“In the ancient Japanese art of bonsai, trees and shrubs are cultivated with exquisite care to create miniature likenesses of much larger trees.”
“Since the sixth century, varieties of bonsai forms have reflected living concepts of balance, simplicity, and harmony while representing the phases of a journey through time.”
The bonsai are throughout the Japan Pavilion. Several are at the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon.
The bonsai trees are on raised platforms.
More bonsai are in the sand zen garden.
Others line the pathway leading up to Katsura Grill.
Bouquet Garden – France Pavilion
See bountiful blooms perfect for a bouquet of cut flowers.
“To grow flowers for decorative arrangements, gardeners seed plants with long stems in rows. This careful cultivation provides easy paths for harvesting, and ensures that taller plants don’t block smaller plants from the sun.”
These rows of flowers are in the long planter outside the entrance to the “Ratatouille” section.
Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth – World Nature Near Imagination!
View a kaleidoscope of butterflies up close, in all their extraordinary color. Learn about butterfly lifecycles and maybe even see one emerge from its chrysalis. Closes at dusk.
“The great outdoors can provide healing as well as fun and recreation. Discover how to reap the benefits of fresh air and sunshine and make the most of your time outside.”
More butterfly topiaries are at the entrance and exit of the butterfly house.
Inside are plants perfect for butterflies, which can be seen flying around.
China Zodiac Garden – China Pavilion
Realize your finer attributes in this garden inspired by the 12 creatures of the Chinese zodiac.
The Chinese Zodiac garden is in front of the “Reflections of China” theater. The sign has recounts the story of the zodiac.
Figures of the animals of the zodiac are created from natural items like seeds and leaves.
Signs on the podiums list some of the recent years and features of that zodiac.
The rabbit is front and center as we are currently in the year of the rabbit.
The Community Garden – World Celebration – NEW!
Connect with the earth and each other at this celebration of a diverse and thriving communal garden plot.
The Community Garden is outside the Connections Eatery entrance facing World Discovery.
“A community garden can exist in any place where people come together to cultivate the land. Perfect for growing a wide range of plants, these ingenious gardens can be found in areas as different as a blacktop parking lot or an open field. And while their size and shape may vary, all community gardens have one thing in common. They provide people with a sense of connection — to the earth and to each other.”
Connections Conservatory Garden – Connections Eatery
Settle into this thoughtful garden full of floral inspirations for your indoor spaces.
The Connections Conservatory Garden is inside Connections Eatery, in the planters next to the stairs. There is no sign for this garden.
It’s full of colorful flowers.
Desert Garden – Mexico Pavilion
Discover the special adaptations that allow plants in arid climates to adjust to the harshest of growing conditions.
At the Mexico Pavilion, the Desert Garden is behind a fence along the side of La Hacienda de San Angel.
“Dust-blown desert plateaus and rocky, dried creek beds may be inhospitable to many forms of plant life, but not succulents and cacti. These hearty desert-dwellers adapt to their arid environments by storing water in their leaves, stems, and roots. Succulents make for beautiful, low-maintenance indoor greenery, or you can create your own garden of these resilient plants in a dry and sunny space.”
Succulents are displayed together in large blue pots.
English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings® – United Kingdom Pavilion
Unearth the history and art of tea-blending at this elegant English tea garden––featuring plants used in some of Twinings’ finest blends.
The English Tea Garden features tea plants displayed inside large tea cups.
This garden is near The Tea Caddy.
Alice meets guests within this garden.
Family-Friendly Garden Presented by OFF!
Explore a camp-themed garden where little ones are invited to jump, play and climb.
This space behind Creations Shop, in World Discovery, is both a garden and a playground.
Kids can play while adults enjoy the plants around the edge of the playground.
This playground is often rethemed for different festivals.
A section of grass has been turned into a checkered picnic “blanket,” with two covered tables to the sides.
Festival Blooms – World Celebration
Admire thousands of flowers that form colorful, living panoramas.
“Festival Blooms” refers to the flowers arranged on the edge of the water in large blocks of color.
Mickey heads, Minnie heads, and giant flower shapes are in the festival blooms.
Floating Gardens – World Nature
Peer upon more than 150 petite plots drifting on the ponds that border the bridge to World Showcase.
The floating gardens are in the bodies of water throughout EPCOT.
Floating pots house different kinds of plants. Around the World Showcase bridge are mostly leafy green plants.
Over by the Imagination! Pavilion are floating plots of pink flowers.
Other ponds in World Nature also have floating gardens.
This one is accompanied by a fountain in the water.
Garden Italiano – Italy Pavilion
From fresh spaghetti sauce to pizza toppings, this Tuscan kitchen garden features all the produce and herbs needed to create a classic Italian feast.
“From fresh spaghetti sauce to favorite pizza toppings, this Tuscan kitchen garden features all the produce and herbs needed to create a classic Italian feast. And with the right planters, anyone can arrange a garden just like it. Terra cotta pots, like those showcased here, can enhance backyards, or cozy patios and balconies.”
The terra cotta planters house edible plants like parsley, cabbage, garlic, and tomato.
The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board® – Rosewalk Near Imagination!
Learn about honeybees’ critical role in the environment, and delight in sweet and savory treats made possible by their hard work.
This garden on the walkway near the Imagination! Pavilion is dedicated to the bees!
“Follow the honey bee on a journey of discovery – from how they make one of nature’s sweetest creations, to their important role in our ecosystem, to ways we can help them thrive!”
Bee hive boxes are on display in the garden.
“You better Bee-live it!” This board contains fun facts about honey bees.
Another sign has information about a few different types of honey and pictures of the dishes they’re used on at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
The plants in this garden are ideal for bees.
Spike the Bee is hidden in more than just the Honey Bee-stro garden — he’s all over the festival as part of Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration.
Read our review of the adjacent Honey Bee-stro outdoor kitchen.
Kokedema Garden – Japan Pavilion
Admire fresh expressions of an ancient Japanese art at this tranquil garden.
“Like bonsai, kokedama are a Japanese art form made from the earth. Unlike their potted counterparts, these ornamental plants are relatively easy to craft. With the right plant, some string, and moss, any gardener can make kokedama, however green their thumb.”
Small kokedama displays, some on stone bases or in shallow dishes, are in this garden.
We also spotted a hidden Mickey and Minnie.
“Kokedama” means “moss ball,” and you may notice that these plants all look like they’re growing from balls of moss.
Miniature Garden – Germany Pavilion
Appreciate the little things in this showcase of diminutive dwellings nestled in a forest of fine shrubs.
“The petite plants in these containers form vignettes inspired by the nearby Garden Railway. Look closely, and you will see diminutive cottages built from bits of nature by fantastical woodland creatures.”
“Inspired by European folklore as far back as the 1600s, these mythical creatures, called gnomes, are said to live in the ground and protect crops, flowers, and treasure.”
“With luck, you might catch a glimpse [of] a magical gnome or two who inhabit these tiny dwellings!”
As the sign says, this garden is just a few steps from the miniature train at the side of the Germany Pavilion.
Tiny moss-covered houses are atop twisting white branches.
More little cottages are hidden among the plants on the ground, next to a rock river and mushrooms.
Prehistoric Garden – World Discovery Near Mission: SPACE
Imagine life on Earth 65 million years ago with astounding plant life that’s thrived since the age of the dinosaurs.
“Millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed vast coniferous forests filled with ancient trees, colossal cycads, ferns, and mosses. Over millennia of geological transformation, these prehistoric plants became the coal and oil we use as fuel today.”
The prehistoric garden throws things back to the ancient time of dinosaurs, with dinosaur figures and rocks decorated to resemble fossils.
Shakespeare Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
Explore the works of Shakespeare in this idyllic garden featuring excerpts from some of the bard’s most famous sonnets—and the dazzling flowers that influenced them.
The Shakespeare garden is outside the restrooms of the U.K. Pavilion.
“William Shakespeare often used flowers and exotic gardens to help set the scenes for his plays. And just as often, the Bard used plants as symbols and metaphors. Take a look through this literary garden and rediscover plants with a poetic past.”
The garden includes plants referenced in Shakespeare’s works.
Small signs include the quotes that reference the plants, like this “Romeo and Juliet” amongst next to the roses: “What’s in a name?” That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Shishi-odoshi – Japan Pavilion – NEW!
Contemplate the methodical movement and soothing rhythm of this traditional Japanese bamboo water fountain.
The unique-looking fountains in this garden are perfect for scaring off animals that may eat your favorite plants.
“Shishi-odoshi translates to ‘scare deer.’ These traditional Japanese water fountains, also known as Sōzu, were originally crafted to ward off any hungry creatures tempted to grace in an enticing garden.”
“As a slow trickle of water fills the segmented bamboo tube, the device tips, creating the distinct sound of rushing water. The empty tube then plops back down on its resting stone with a critter-startling thunk.”
“In modern gardens, these kinetic contraptions are enjoyed for their mesmerizing motion and methodical, meditative rhythm.”
Spice Garden – Morocco Pavilion
Discover how Eastern cultures flourished, trading signature spices and herb blends once considered more valuable than gold.
“In many cultures, spices were once considered more valuable than gold. Even today, many communities are defined by their signature spices and herb blends, created from plant leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and flowers.”
This garden is marked by decorative towers of spice orbs.
Songbird Meadow Presented by Wild Birds Unlimited® – World Discovery
Songbirds are an important part of many ecosystems—including the one in your own backyard! Discover simple steps you can take at home to help these feathered friends thrive.
Welcome to Songbird Meadow, a spot for birds to dine and relax.
“Throughout history, songbirds have captivated humankind with their enchanting melodies and dazzling displays of color. But in recent years, the populations of these amazing animals have been on the decline. Thankfully, people from all over the world have been taking small actions to help our feathered friends — and these small actions have made a big difference. Explore the garden to learn how you can help save the songbirds and ensure their survival for generations to come.”
Topiary Heritage Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion
Marvel at the varied techniques employed by the Walt Disney World Horticulture team to create the festival’s topiaries.
The Topiary Heritage Garden is at the back of the U.K. Pavilion.
“Topiary gardening is the art of guiding living plants into ornate, and sometimes even fantastical, shapes.”
“Found throughout the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, topiaries are an important part of the legacy of Disney Horticulture and have been showcased in Disney Parks since the opening of Disneyland.”
“As you explore this garden, you’ll find examples of three styles of topiary: free-form, standard, and shrub.”
The topiaries on display include a Mickey Mouse and an elephant.
There are quotes from landscape architect Bill Evans who created the first Disneyland topiaries.
Tropical Rainforest Garden – Mexico Pavilion
Uncover the rich biodiversity of the Mexican rainforest and learn about its highly adaptive species.
Explore the rainforests with this garden on the ramp next to the Mexico Pavilion.
“Hot and humid climates can create highly adaptive plant species.”
“In rainforests, trees search for sunlight, shading the dark forest floor below. Meanwhile, extraordinary orchids extend their roots to absorb water while attracting pollinators with their intricate petals.”
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