This is the first of a two-part series on gardening in Florida. This column will devote itself to the Gardens of Disney’s EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow). Next week, I’ll cover two other great gardens in Orlando and nearby Lake Wales.
EPCOT covers some 550 acres and is divided into two major areas, Future World and the World Showcase. Future World involves new technologies, while the World Showcase feature pavilions that represent 11 countries. Beautiful landscapes and masses of flowers are a Disney hallmark – 450,000 mowing miles are logged each year at the Disney World resorts, with three million bedding plants and 3,500 plant species from every continent except Antartica represented. At EPCOT, each of the gardens of the World Showcase are truly unique in that the individual gardens of each country reflect that country’s culture, history and diversity.
Authentic themes mean plant selections take on additional importance. Unfortunately, Florida is located 2,000 miles north of the equator and the subtropical climate doesn’t always coincide with native plants from these countries. Consequently, the concept of look-alikes come into play, bolstering the palette of authentic plants.
The World Showcase of Japan is the most extensive garden in that it features large structures meant to represent the Gosho Imperial Palace and the Katsura Imperial Villa, both in Kyoto. The gardens feature a large koi pond and things like a dramatic Torii gate, a pagoda, a gravel garden, stone lanterns, bamboo fences and stone paths. Plantings include privets, cedars, palms and – in bloom while we were there – azaleas, camellias and chrysanthemums.
I’m particularly partial to the gardens of Canada in that sweeping beds of bedding plants are featured, many of the varieties from Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy. The garden is a smaller version replica of famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria. While we were there, Goldsmith’s “Sparkler” cleome and “Inca” marigolds were still blooming. The gardens are backdropped by a large 3 or 4-story mountain where Goldsmith’s “Ramblin’” trailing petunias were blooming.
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