Epcots World Showcase Gardens – part 3

This is the third section of my tour on the gardens in Epcot.

Japan

Around ninety per cent of the plants used in the Japan Pavilion are native to the country. You may think that Japanese gardens are very similar to Chinese gardens but this would be incorrect. As mentioned earlier, Chinese gardens use water for ponds which are still without the use of fountains. Whereas Japanese gardens have running water, trickling along rocks etc. The Japanese like to use sounds in their gardens too, look for the bamboo “clacker” which is near the bridge. Also, their planting is very meticulous, every plant and tree must be placed strategically to create a special look.

Morocco

Farming and agriculture is represented in the Morocco pavilion, as this is one of their main industries. Plants and trees include mint and ornamental cabbages, sour orange trees, olive trees and date palms.

France

The gardeners at Epcot have created a light and airy feel to the France pavilion, almost like a city park. If you take a look towards the shops you will notice the pathway of trees, in France these are usually linden trees. However, as they would not thrive in Florida the gardeners have used crape myrtle trees as a substitute. The Le Notre Garden is to the right of this area where over nine hundred shrubs have been shaped into a fleur-de-lis.

United Kingdom

A beautiful perennial garden greets you on the left hand side as you walk into the United Kingdom pavilion. Plants have been chosen that will attract butterflies and a special box has been placed here to house the chrysalis which will develop into these butterflies. Walk over to Anne Hathaway’s cottage to view the herb garden, here you will find many varieties including rosemary, chives, spearmint and sage. Now go to the back of the pavilion to see the small maze grown from Japanese yew.

Canada

Canada, in my opinion, is the best and also the largest of the gardens in World Showcase. Apparently it was inspired by the Butchart Gardens on Victoria Island, Vancouver. Having actually visited these gardens on our tour of Canada I can agree that it is as lovely as the original, although on a much, much smaller scale. During the winter months you will notice that all the plants that are in flower will be white. This is to suggest the snowfalls in Canada. There are over one hundred and thirty rose bushes in the Canadian pavilion blooming at one time or another through the year. In total there are nearly thirteen thousand roses in the whole of Epcot.