Nationally-recognized public exhibitions, garden railways, and holiday installations celebrating the natural world since 1991.
A new generation of artisans carrying forward and continuing to elevate the work of founding visionary, Paul G. Busse.
Ticket to whimsy: What’s behind popular seasonal train shows
The shows, now a tradition in many cities, feature a combination of model trains and painstakingly detailed models of landmark buildings made from leaves, twigs and other dried plant materials.
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Imagination: The Story of Applied Imagination
Ride the miniature rails with Kentucky Muse as we follow the creative team of Applied Imagination. This Alexandria, Kentucky-based studio creates spectacular holiday and seasonal train displays that delight crowds at botanical gardens across the United States.
2020 Winner of the Gold Medal of Excellence
The Landscape Architecture Medal of Excellence recognizes significant contributions to landscape architecture policy, research, education, project planning, and design, or a combination of these items. One medal is awarded annually.
Botanical Architecture
Inspiring audiences of all ages through our inventive use of botanical materials to create iconic architectural models. A new way to appreciate the natural world.
The Seed of An Idea
The concept of botanical architecture was originally developed by Applied Imagination’s founding visionary, Paul G. Busse. Founded in 1991, Applied Imagination was the convergence of Paul’s work with landscaping, garden railroads, and his unique use of plant material.
Elevating The Ordinary
When asked to do his first Garden Railway in a conservatory setting, Paul looked to elevate the plastic train models and developed the idea to decorate them entirely out of dried botanicals mimicking architectural details through nature.
Celebrating The Natural World
Educating visitors through our inventive use of plants, artists select materials to hand-sculpt each unique architectural element. Our workshop is filled with hundreds of varieties of pods, barks, pine cones, branches, leaves, and fungus.
From The Forest Floor
Surrounded by several acres of land, we harvest many materials from the forest floor on our grounds. We also collect from the gardens where we work, purchase from various suppliers worldwide, and even receive generous donations from admirers near and far.
Exceptional Artisanship
Over 30 years, the concept of Botanical Architecture has evolved through the hands of our artisans, each building taking 100-1000 hours to complete, and sometimes much more!
Lasting Treasures
With proper handling and much thanks to our finishing coatings, these models can live on for decades. Many in our collections are 25-30 years old and still shining.
Exhibition Schedule
Spring, Summer, Fall & Year-Round
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Tucson, AZ
New for 2024 permanent exhibit!
The Great Garden Express brings classic model trains to life! Walk under elevated tracks and spot engines pulling passenger cars and freight through tunnels and over bridges; listen as the trains chug through the Arizona landscape and beloved National Park landmarks.
Descanso Gardens
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
New for 2024 permanent exhibit!
Explore the Descanso Railroad with model trains traveling through intricate landscapes and depots made of natural materials (many from Descanso Gardens). Each depot will depict a great train station of America.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Columbus, Oh
Our largest Outdoor Exhibit at 10,000 sq ft and 1200 feet of track. The Paul Busse Garden Railway is open June 2022 through January 2023.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Nashville, TN
Trains! Permanent Outdoor Garden Railway Open Year-Round. All new children’s interactive train station added in 2022.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL
Outdoor Garden Railway open annually May through October.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Outdoor Garden Railway open annually May through September and for the holidays during December and January.
Fernwood Botanic Garden
Niles, MI
Open annually May through October
Winter & Holiday
New York Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY
A NYC tradition since 1992. The Holiday Train Show is our largest holiday installation, and is open annually November through January. Larger than ever, this exhibit spans 3 conservatory houses, an exhibition tent, and a new outdoor train display.
United States Botanic Garden
Washington, D.C.
Annual Outdoor Holiday Garden Railway located on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, MO
New 2024 Holiday Train exhibit!
Open every night during Garden Glow at the Emerson Conservatory through Jan. 1.
Charming G-Scale model trains travel through a colorful display of blooming poinsettias and miniature landscapes, including botanical replicas of the Garden’s iconic Victorian District.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Grand Rapids, MI
Open annually November through January
Eiteljorg Museum
Indianapolis, IN
An Indianapolis holiday tradition, Jingle Rails is open annually November through January.
Krohn Conservatory
Cincinnati, OH
A Cincinnati Holiday Tradition open annually November through January.
Columbus Main Library
Downtown Columbus, OH
A Columbus holiday tradition since 1992. This snow-covered indoor holiday train display in open annually November through January.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens–Rockford, IL
A delightful holiday conservatory exhibit open annually December though January.