Hello, Kristin, and welcome to planDisney!
Kansas holds a special place in my heart because its state flower, the sunflower, is my favorite. And as a former elementary school teacher, I absolutely love that your students are writing a book about topiaries. What a brilliant idea!
Right now, EPCOT is in full bloom with the
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, where over 70 stunning topiaries bring beloved Disney characters to life through the magic of horticulture. For more than 30 years, Disney’s talented horticulturists and Imagineers have been perfecting their craft, using a mix of live plants, dried natural materials, and lightweight props to create these vibrant works of art.
There are four different types of topiary design at Walt Disney World: Free-Form and Standard-Form Topiaries, shaped with careful trimming, and Shrub and Sphagnum Topiaries, which use frames to help support and define their structure. Many figures, like Mickey or Minnie, are made with dense greenery like ficus or creeping fig, while details like faces, shoes, and accessories might be crafted from dried materials such as palm fibers, moss, coco mats, or even clay and 3D-printed elements. This year, Moana and Maui's topiaries have state-of-the-art topiary technology featuring 3D printing and LED lights.
Now, let’s talk about Winnie the Pooh, because what’s sweeter than a honey-loving bear holding a balloon? While Disney hasn’t officially shared the details of his balloon’s construction, based on other topiary designs, it’s likely made of lightweight, weather-resistant materials such as mesh or sculpted fiberglass rather than live plants. Just like Rabbit’s topiary, which clutches a bunch of “carrots” made from similar materials as the balloon, Pooh himself is probably shaped with a steel frame and covered in lush greenery, with red foliage (possibly coleus) used for his signature shirt. And of course, he’s surrounded by a garden of colorful blooms and his Hundred Acre Wood friends!
If your students want to dig deeper into the behind-the-scenes magic,
Disney Parks Blog has a fantastic article with a short video on topiary creation. Plus, Disney Parks’ YouTube channel features even more fascinating clips about the artistry behind the festival, perfect for some extra inspiration!
I hope this helps get your students buzzing with excitement, Kristin! I’d love to hear how their book blossoms, so please keep me posted!
Eean