The 2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is underway. This year, we were lucky enough to visit the Epcot bonsai display on opening day, February 28th. During the three month festival, Epcot comes alive with brilliant flowers, interesting gardens, and of course, bonsai!
Bonsai in Epcot’s World Showcase
The bonsai portion of the Flower & Garden Festival resides at the Japan Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase in cooperation of the Bonsai Societies of Florida. Most of the trees I saw were tropical, which makes sense given Florida’s tropical climate. Being from Michigan, I was able to observe species that I don’t often see, which made for a fun day.
It should be said, however, that the Epcot environment isn’t perfect for bonsai viewing.
Normally when bonsai are on display, they are placed against a neutral background. This allows one to appreciate the tree without having to worry about a “busy” background distracting from the tree’s lines. Epcot doesn’t do this. Their trees are situated around the outdoor garden, which makes photographing them a bit difficult.
Trees on Display
This Buttonwood looked very majestic with the unique deadwood feature on the front of the tree. It sat opposite of the pavilion, on the World Showcase Lagoon.
This beautiful Indian Laurel Fig bonsai looks like a mature tree with the impressive girth of its trunk and gentle flare at the base.
This Indian Laurel Fig looks very different, with the multiple trunks and long extending air roots. I really enjoyed the pot choice on this tree.
Bald Cypress bonsai typically look very similar. This one has broken the mold with a unique hollowed trunk. It reminds me of a Baobab tree. I’d love to see this one with its leaves.
This planting of a Dwarf Umbrella Tree had great shape and was powerful. It was also massive.
I was unfamiliar with this species. This is a Pink Trumpet Tree which has an elegant slant. The piece was very nice. You can see from this photo that the garden background was beautiful, but made appreciating the trees a bit tricky.
This Tropical Boxwood was unique. I’m curious how the artists envisions its future. It feels like a forest of massive trees.
A Green Mound Ficus with an interesting a complicated trunk.
Another example of a Tropical Boxwood bonsai. The thick trunk on this one and well definite foliage pads make this a mighty tree.
An absolutely huge Trident Maple bonsai. The movement on the tree is nice and the trunk is a beast.
Spring is here! This is a close up of the same Trident Maple with its buds opening.