A few years ago, I spent some time in beautiful Costa Rica. Due to a mudslide, our van driver had to take a much longer, circuitous route back to the airport. We came through a small town somewhere in the mountains and stopped in front of this church. The walkway up to the church was covered with huge living arches forming a green canopy.
Walkway to church
I had seen topiary art before – the art of trimming or training shrubs and trees into unusual ornamental shapes -but not on this monumental scale. Someone, many decades ago, must have had a grand vision of these towering living garden arches and worked diligently, year after year, to create the shapes we can admire now.
Living arches
Sometimes, detours are the best way to discover things you didn’t even know existed.
If you’d like to see a short video of a festival going on at this site (Parque de Zarcero, Costa Rica), click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55mybOdnC6k
The Beauty Along the Road 
How unusual! Thanks for taking us there. I’m all about ‘off the beaten track’ and the unexpected is the best adventure. Cheerio, CC
LikeLike
Thank you. Beautiful.
LikeLike
Heavens, this seems like a collision between Tolkein’s Lothlorien and Jabberwocky’s tulgy wood. What an extraordinary discovery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is gorgeous! What was the name of the little town? I’d love to go there. When I visited the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, Japan they had an incredible topiary on the walkway leading into the museum. The bushes looked like they were melting from the bombing. I would love to know how they do this. Way too much work for me, but it’s beautiful.
LikeLike
I believe this is Zarcero. A friend of mine, Charles Garratt, took a video of the place while a festival was going on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55mybOdnC6k
LikeLike
Fantastic, Annette 🙂 I love it!
LikeLike
Ah yes, off the beaten track when traveling results in wonderful moments like this. Travel Serendipity! Thank you.
LikeLike
fascinating shapes, living art, I love the idea of someone creating it patiently over the years 🙂
LikeLike
Wow! These are amazing. We were hoping to go to Costa Rica this spring but ended up putting off the trip. This reminds me how much I’d like to visit there!
LikeLike
Some gardeners have epic vision and patience.
LikeLike
I was there a few months ago, and keep meaning to do a post about it. It’s a fascinating place, isn’t it? 🙂
LikeLike
It is such an interesting place. Unfortunately, I had just a few moment before we had to continue. But I am sure there is a story attached to these gardens…Did you gather more info while you were there?
LikeLike
Yes I did get quite a few pics and some info. I’ll do a post sometime. Did you visit the church?
LikeLike
No, I didn’t even get close to the church! Looking forward to your post.
LikeLike
Wow! That’s fantastic 🙂 I love the way you’ve framed the photos too!
LikeLike
Thank you, Sarah. I wasn’t as satisfied with the quality of the photo but glad you liked it.
LikeLike