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I was going to hold off showing you the amazing topiary I discovered at the San Diego Botanic Garden, but when I saw that the WordPress weekly photo challenge is “unique”, I figured these photos would be perfect. I had never seen anything like it anywhere else, so to me, these are very unique indeed.
First let me say I’ve seen lots of topiary and I always admire the art of being able to create shapes out of trees. In a way, what the San Diego Botanic Garden has done is a little different, as you’ll see below. The most amazing thing about these plant “sculptures” is that you could literally walk right past them and not notice them – they blend in with their surroundings very well. In fact, I walked past the first one, saw the second, then walked back to the first one to take pictures from the beginning. Most people didn’t notice most of them either until they saw me taking pictures of them.
I took these first few photos in the Mexican Garden area of the San Diego Botanic Garden. The light was very bright and most of the garden was in the shade, so it was tricky to take photos, with such contrast on most pictures. And I didn’t use a flash either. I need to plan half a day to go up there by myself and spend the time to take the right pictures, the right way, at the right time.
I invite you to click on some of these photos to see all the details of each topiary in a larger format.
This is the first topiary you see as you enter the Mexican Garden, that is if you don’t walk right by it as I did.
The second topiary is just as pretty. You can see each plant is exactly where it’s supposed to be.
The next two topiary items are opposite of each other. It’s a couple dancing to the music of a mariachi band.
Check out the musicians’ mustaches!
I’m not sure what this topiary is supposed to be. A gardener? You tell me what you think it is.
The next topiary is a man sitting down and looking at something in his hand.
This is what he’s looking at: a butterfly (made with a plant, of course). Nice!
These last few photos are from topiary art I found in the children’s garden of the San Diego Botanic Garden.
This one is technically not a topiary but rather a sculpture made out of planting pots… Pretty neat, huh?
The next one is a poor rhinoceros topiary that has a shedding problem. It looks quite naked in some areas.
The last one is a reading rabbit, perfect addition to a children’s garden.
I hope you enjoyed these photos of unique topiary. Thanks for stopping by!
milkapejovic.com 
Definitely unique! But they’d be a little creepy in the dark. 😉
I agree, especially because they’re quite larger, all taller than me and I’m almost 5’10”. Might be a good crook repellent around homes…
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Perfect for the challenge 🙂
Thank you, I agree and didn’t want to pass on the opportunity. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Hi Milka,
Your talent is truly amazing!
I love the reading rabbit the best! Don’t get me wrong, all the photos you took are fabulous!
Tracy
Thank you so much, Tracy! The lighting was definitely a challenge for these photos and I’ve got to play around with the flash to get the results that I want.
Did you see my post on flowers earlier today? Now, I’m very pleased with the way those photos came out.
https://milkapejovic.com/2013/02/01/lets-be-wild-weekly-photo-challenge-flowers/
Amazing. I wonder how long it took to grow them.
I’m not sure. They’re mostly succulent plants, so I’m wondering if they planted them already grown in the structure, and only have to maintain them after that.
Oh . . . maybe like a puzzle of plants.
It definitely looks like every plant in there is where it’s supposed to be. I’m really looking forward to taking more pictures to get the best shots I can. It will be quite a challenge with the way the light shines through the taller trees in that garden.
I’d have to say that the Rhino would be my favorite, looks very natural!
He sure looks like he’s having fun!
I just posted a photo of a statue made out of clay pots this week!
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/get-off-the-nail/
The topiary are wonderful.
I’m so glad I spotted the topiary. I’ve been at the San Diego Botanic Garden several times and never saw them before. I have an annual pass now, with many opportunities to go back for more.
I’ll hop over to your blog to check your latest posts. This week has been very unproductive for me when it comes to commenting. 😦
these are amazing.wow
Thank you! I knew I had to take pictures of them when I walked by, so I could share later.
How absolutely delightful these are. My favorite? The dancing couple 🙂
I love that couple too. The lady’s dress is just gorgeous.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Wow – I’ve never seen anything like those either! I love all the detail and how they’re made up of different plants. I can see how you’d walk by thinking they could be regular people unless you were looking right at them. Nice to see so much green too!
I actually walked by the first few thinking they were trees or large plants. They’re pretty tall (over 6 foot tall each) so you’d definitely would not confuse them with people, but they really blend in with their surroundings. And yes, I love the detail and the selection of plants for each part of the topiary/sculpture to make it as realistic as possible. I’m glad so many people enjoyed these amazing works of art. It sounds like they are indeed very unique.
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EVERYONE should see these topiaries! z
I agree, they’re very unique! Feel free to pass the link along.
i plan on doing that! z
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