Information
Landmark: Green Animals Topiary GardenCity: Portsmouth RI
Country: USA Rhode Island
Continent: North America
Green Animals Topiary Garden, Portsmouth RI, USA Rhode Island, North America
Overview
In Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the Green Animals Topiary Garden draws visitors with its century-antique charm, whimsical animal-shaped hedges, and neatly trimmed paths that smell faintly of fresh-cut grass, meanwhile one of the oldest formal topiary gardens in the country, it greets visitors with sculpted hedges, a sense of history, and a quiet beauty you can almost hear in the rustle of leaves.The garden, begun in the early 1900s by the White family, grew from a quiet estate into a living work of art, with rose-scented paths winding through its heart, subsequently known as the oldest privately owned topiary garden in the U. S, it captures early America’s fascination with European horticulture-row after row of clipped boxwood shaped with patient hands, not only that today, it’s cared for as both a historical landmark and a lush botanical haven, with paths open for visitors to learn, wander, and breathe in the scent of blooming jasmine.The garden holds more than 80 topiaries, each shaped into animals, crisp geometric designs, or playful figures-a lion mid-stride, a giraffe stretching tall, birds poised to take flight, and even a few mythical beasts, consequently the topiaries are shaped from evergreens like boxwood, yew, and holly, each clipped with care so every curve stays sharp.Manicured lawns, bursts of color from flower beds, winding paths, and the soft splash of fountains create a setting that’s both splendid and inviting, giving visitors a destination to pause and reflect, what’s more visitors can stroll winding paths, pause beside a bronze figure in the shade, and take in the gentle blend of art and landscape.The garden’s playful topiaries and bursts of color make it a dream for photographers, from tight shots of a single sculpted shrub to sweeping panoramas that capture the whole scene, consequently seasonal changes transform the garden, shifting from the deep green of summer leaves to the fiery red and gold of autumn, so every visit feels different.Guided tours led by staff or docents share the story behind the topiaries, from their rich history to the careful pruning techniques and the creative vision that shapes each leafy sculpture, simultaneously gardening insights await-visitors can explore pruning tips, plant care tricks, and the careful shaping needed to keep topiary forms crisp, like the neatly clipped edge of a boxwood hedge.Every so often, the garden comes alive with workshops, hands-on classes, and neighborhood gatherings celebrating gardening, art, and the beauty of the outdoors-like the scent of fresh soil after a morning rain, also tip for visitors: Wear comfy shoes-you’ll be walking winding paths and feeling the crunch of gravel underfoot.It seems, Take your time exploring the grounds-some corners hide behind winding paths, and you’ll need a measured, careful hike to really take them in, in conjunction with feel free to take photos, but if you’re bringing a drone or bulky gear, you’ll need to get permission first.Before you go, check the seasonal hours - the garden’s schedule shifts between sunny summer days and crisp winter mornings, on top of that at the Green Animals Topiary Garden, sculpted shrubs and blooming paths blend art, gardening, and history, turning a stroll past a whale-shaped hedge into both delight and discovery.Visitors trek away amazed by the creativity and patience it takes to shape living plants into lasting sculptures, then linger for a quiet stroll past weathered stone paths in one of Rhode Island’s most unique historic gardens.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-27
