Come See the Animals… In the Botanic Garden?

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT^®) and Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites visitors to the newest exhibit “Topiaries in the Garden,” running Oct. 16, 2020 through Jun. 30, 2021.

Featuring 12 plant-based animal shapes, such as elephants, giraffes, and butterflies, the displays are sure to stimulate a sense of wonderment and fascination.

“Seeing the animal topiaries throughout the Garden gives visitors yet another reason to get outside and enjoy this beautiful fall weather,” said Vice President for Horticulture and Assistant Director Bob Byers.

Topiary is a horticultural practice that trains plants to grow and develop into distinctive shapes. In this case,  animal-shaped frames are stuffed with sphagnum peat moss, bound in fishing line, and then planted with flowering annuals, groundcover and other plants. The process allows for depiction of not just the shape of the animal, but also the color and texture of its skin, fur or feathers. For the duration of the exhibit Garden staff and volunteers will maintain the topiaries by watering, fertilizing, pinning stray runners, and shearing.

Exhibit viewing is included with the price of Garden admission. Members receive free entry. For more information, visit fwbg.org/events/topiaries