It’s hard to explain Mosaïcultures Internationales Montréal, an exhibition taking place this summer in the Montréal Botanical Garden, 4101 Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Dates are June 22 through September 29, 2013.

Yes, it’s a garden show. And a flower show. And (sort of) a topiary show — or, rather, a plant sculpture show. Some 250 horticultural artists from around the globe are involved in creating its displays.

It is an international mosaiculture competition AND an exhibition of horticultural art and a chance for the representatives from parks, gardens and green spaces around the world to exchange ideas. All works presented must represent something of the participant’s culture while responding to a predefined theme (this year: “Land of Hope”) and complying with the principles of sustainable development.

Winners are determined by an international jury composed of key figures in the field. Visitors to the event are also invited to vote for their favorite work.

Mosaiculture is a refined horticultural art that involves creating and mounting living artworks made primarily from plants with colorful foliage (generally annuals and occasionally perennials). The colorful two- and three-dimensional drawings, designs, sculptures and reliefs thus created employ a wide variety of flora.

This multifaceted and complex discipline, an ornamental art, draws on numerous practices: on sculpture for its structure and volume, on painting for its palette, and on horticulture in its use of plants in a living, constantly changing environment. Mosaiculture should be distinguished from topiary, which features mostly shrubs pruned to create different shapes.

Guess you’ll just have to drive to Montréal this summer and check it out.

(Photo courtesy of Mosaïcultures Internationales Montréal)