In Quebec City, the must-visit garden of 2022 is “Once Upon a Time—The Earth,” a magnificent creation by Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal. Nestled within the magnificent Parc du Bois de Coulonge, which was once the estate of a former Lieutenant Governor, this captivating garden features over six million meticulously crafted flowers shaped into an array of animals, birds, fish, and people. The park’s strategic location offers breathtaking views of the expansive St. Lawrence River and is in close proximity to the historic Plains of Abraham.

In this enchanted garden, colossal topiaries have been skillfully crafted using thousands of annual bedding plants meticulously arranged over sturdy steel armatures. The result is a breathtaking spectacle that resembles a colossal living art gallery. These extraordinary creations stand apart from traditional topiary art, showcasing a unique design approach that exudes a sense of freedom and an uncanny lifelike beauty. With remarkable ingenuity, the horticulturists have harnessed the diverse array of plant life available. Succulents are delicately employed to form expressive eyes, wild grasses are artfully fashioned into flowing manes, and herbs like parsley are cleverly used as accents. The meticulous selection and arrangement of plants match the unrivaled skill of the horticulturists, who bring these fantastical creatures to life in a truly captivating display.

A giant butterfly outside the historic Chateau Frontenac, one of the grand Canadian railroad hotels built in 1893, previews the wonders to be found at the park. It is fitting, then, that butterflies are among the first works you see as you enter, just beyond the pergola that reproduces in part the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, burned many years ago.

The butterflies pull bands of rainbows around a turtle in the middle of lush bedding plants, representing the origin stories of many cultures across the world. Elephants, breaching whales, lions and zebras, and the symbolic Canadian moose await your inspection across the vast ground. A meditative Mother Nature seems to gesture to her world all around.

The circuit through the park takes visitors to a polar and marine world, a display of endangered species from America, Africa and Australia, the world of the Huron-Wendat Nation—an Iroquoian-speaking nation that has lived in the St. Lawrence Valley in Quebec.

One of the most moving of the floral tributes is to Elzéard Bouffier, a shepherd and subject of the allegorical short story The Man Who Planted Trees, written in 1953 by French author Jean Giono. It tells the story of one shepherd’s long and successful single-handed effort to reforest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps in Provence.

Nearby a beekeeper tends to his creatures on a carpet of sparkling flowers, emphasizing the importance of bees to Mother Nature’s garden.

The eco-conscious exhibition exemplifies a commitment to sustainable development by prioritizing local suppliers and implementing composting practices at the conclusion of the event. Anticipating a staggering 15 million visitors before its closure on October 10th, this remarkable exhibition serves as a shining example of environmental responsibility.

Renowned as a global leader in mosaiculture, Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal is a non-profit organization with an impressive track record. Since its establishment in 1999, the organization has participated in five international competitions, hosted seven exhibitions, and created over 100 captivating works in more than 20 countries.

Quebec City, conveniently accessible via a short flight from Chicago and an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, offers an array of delightful experiences. From exquisite French restaurants that rival those in Paris to breathtaking views from the Frontenac boardwalk, this city boasts an enchanting Old Town adorned with charming antique stores. With a rich and complex history dating back to its founding by Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Quebec City was recently graced with a visit from Pope Francis during his cross-Canada tour. Overflowing with captivating sights, it now proudly boasts the title of the most whimsical garden of 2022.