Green Animals Topiary Garden, Topiary garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US.
Description
Green Animals Topiary Garden is a seven-acre property in Portsmouth featuring over 80 evergreen shrubs trimmed into animal shapes. Beside these living sculptures, formal flower beds and vegetable gardens fill the space.
History
Thomas Brayton purchased the property in 1872 as a summer home, and in 1912 gardener Joseph Carreiro started trimming the first animal shapes. His work established what is now considered one of America's oldest topiary gardens.
Culture
The garden shows how European topiary traditions merged with New England gardening practices. Visitors can see how this blend shaped American landscape design.
Practical
The garden opens to visitors daily from April through October, with guided tours explaining the trimming techniques used. Well-marked pathways make it easy to explore the sculptures, and staff can answer questions about caring for topiary.
Did you know?
Among the animal sculptures is a finely trimmed unicorn, a figure rarely seen in other topiary gardens. This playful addition to the more realistic animal shapes makes the place particularly engaging for visitors.
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