Kids can run through the giant ogre, one of the featured plant sculptures of Imaginary Worlds. Photo Atlanta Botanical Garden.

I had the chance to preview Imaginary Worlds: Larger Than Life, the new giant plant sculpture exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden a few weeks ago. I was definitely transported to a mystical place filled with majestic unicorns, giant cobras, a wise orgre, a precocious fluffy dog and a breathtaking Earth Goddess. You can experience this too as the exhibit runs now through October.

You can stroll through the garden and encounter the pieces. Kids can get up close and personal with some of them as they were made for interaction.

Take a look at my pictures of the sculptures as crews were adding finishing touches to them before opening day.

Here is some fun facts about the exhibit:
  • The plant sculptures were created through a form of the 16th century horticultural art known as mosaiculture. A special fabric covered with thousands of tiny plants are arranged around steel armatures. They are set up and planted around the garden with internal irrigation so the plants can flourish.

  • 118,00 plants (mainly annuals) are contained within the sculptures. Earth Goddess has 40,000.

  • The exhibit has a Montreal connection - it’s the creative genius of the International Mosaiculture of Montreal. This is the first exhibition of its kind in the U.S.

  • Keeping the sculptures groomed is a constant process requiring seven extra temporary workers to assist the horticulture team.

  • The Earth Goddess is 25 feet tall and weighs nearly 29 tons. The Cobra is 18 ft.

The giant cobras are my favorite parts of the exhibit. Which ones did you like the best? Share your comment below.