Walt Disney World's floral Mickey Mouse (figure A) is large, grand and quite complex -- but it's not difficult to create a small-scale version of Mickey in your own backyard! Here, Disney horticulture expert Jessie Mack Burns shows how to grow your own Mickey -- or any design of your choosing. Begin by creating an outline. Use water catchers, saucers or other round objects to form Mickey's face and ears (figure B). Outline with string, or use a little flour or gypsum. Remove the saucers. Use any low-growing or creeping plants that feature contrasting colors. Here two varieties of polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) are used to create Mickey (figure C): the pink variety forms the face, while the red version defines the ears. Lobelia and herbs are other good plant choices for this project. Just let your imagination run wild: you can plant the alphabet, spell out your children's names, create other cartoon characters or even create a little garden tucked away in a secret place. Water and fertilize your floral cartoon regularly.
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