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Doing the impossible: How the Atlanta Botanical Garden sculpts with plants

We look at the science behind the Imaginary Worlds Exhibit at Atlanta's favorite garden
Credit: Joey Ivansco
May 1, 2018 Atlanta Botanical Garden: Imaginary Worlds/Once Upon A Time Dragon & Princess

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Botanical Garden has always captured the imagination but now it's about to become even more magical with their returning exhibit, Imaginary Worlds.

11Alive got a chance to go behind the scenes and see how this world comes to life.

According to Amanda Bennett, manager of display gardens, the sculptures start off with a metal frame or an exoskeleton.

"They are essentially like 3-D baskets," Bennett said.

First, the soil used to create the sculptures needs to be able to handle being watered. Then, once the soil has been set in place, a fabric is added and plants planted from top to bottom.

"They are little plugs. We get them in plug trays and go in with a special tool called a dribble," Bennett said. "They will grow in and we will water them, fertilize them throughout the season. And we keep them sheared and keep a very tight growing pattern."

Most of the plants used to create these animal sculptures are summer annuals. This means the beautiful arrangements will last until the end of October.

You can purchase tickets on the Atlanta Botanical Garden website. This particular exhibit will be on display until Oct. 28.

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