A regal and distinctive nature area that you must visit while you are in Portsmouth, Rhode Island is the Green Animals Topiary Garden! It is the oldest and most northern topiary garden within the United States, and you can find it at 380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871. The area is open each year from May until October while the weather is warm.
(You will want to note that there is a free parking lot attached to the property which can be utilized, except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.)
Prior to visiting this topiary garden, I did not even know what the word “topiary” meant. (A garden in which intricate designs are created through pruning and trimming.)
This specific garden has been around for more then 100 years, and has over 80 topiary animals and figures.
The history of this estate starts back in 1872, when Thomas E. Brayton (Treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company) purchased this beautiful lot of seven acres overlooking the Narragansett Bay. His gardener and superintendent of the property, Joseph Carreiro, (and Joseph’s son-in-law, George Mendonca) were responsible for creating these elaborate topiaries.
Later, Mr. Brayton’s daughter, Alice, provided the estate its name because of the profusion of “green animals” on it. In 1939, she made this land her permanent residence. Through the years she has allowed the public to enjoy these majestic gardens, in addition to hosting “locals” such as Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) in her debut season. Later in life, she also entertained young Caroline and John Kennedy Jr. at parties to celebrate the harvest season.
When she died in 1972, at the age of 94, Alice left Green Animals to The Preservation Society of Newport County. It is so amazing to think of the ties to American history that this landmark has provided through the years, in addition to being such a strikingly beautiful place!
https://www.newportmansions.org/mansions-and-gardens/green-animals-topiary-garden/history/
When you step into the gardens, you are immediately transported to another place. (I felt like it was very whimsical like “Alice In Wonderland”.) They do recommend bringing your lunch with you to relax and enjoy the views, and I think that this truly would be the ultimate place to drink a cup of tea and eat sandwiches!
The complexities of each design are truly on another level, and it is such a magical place to explore.
I highly recommend you visit the Green Animals Topiary Garden, and it would be an awesome spot for a day trip for people of all ages to enjoy. You will definitely be inspired by its beauty, and maybe even interested in setting up a garden of your own after visiting!
Let me know in the comments if you have ever gone here before, and what you thought about it as well. I hope that you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click the like and subscribe button!
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26 responses to “Green Animals Topiary Garden Portsmouth Rhode Island”
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Looks like so much fun – I love the giraffe!
Thank you very much!
Incredible beauty of super varieties flowers , green animals , surroundings
full of flora and fauna , the garden Islands so wonderful 👍🙏🌷 High quality Super Power building is grace beauty 😍 Thank you for sharing my dear friend 💖 🌹
Thank you very much, I appreciate it!
Thank you so much for likes my feedback and most welcome wishes 🌷🙏❤️
I expect children would love seeing the giant teddy bears and other animals. A charming place to visit and explore. X
Thank you very much, it is definitely an awesome place for families to visit!
I love this, and very well-written! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thank you very much!
Wonderful, it’s hard to imagine all the skill, time and effort involved in creating and maintaining these topiary displays.
Thank you very much, I agree, they have talented people working on this garden!
This looks like a truly wonderful place to visit for those interested in gardens, topiary, and unique landscapes. I love how, in addition to topiary animals and geometric shapes, the garden offers a tranquil setting with rolling lawns, blooming flowers and a charming farmhouse with a wraparound porch. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thank you very much Aiva!
The gardens look lovely and the topiary animals and figures are really neat. I can’t even imagine how much maintenance this place needs!
Thank you very much!
Gorgeous! And I just love the green animals! Thanks for sharing Allie!☀️
Thank you very much Lisa!
I was just thinking, I don’t know what a topiary is and then you answered my question. I had no idea this existed, and I can’t imagine having the artistic skill or vision to trim a plant into the shape of an animal. So unique!
Thank you very much Diana, I agree, it is such a neat way to create a garden!
That is a gorgeous garden! Maintaining such a place with all the green animals must be quite a task, but so rewarding!
Thank you very much! We were impressed at how elaborate the gardens were!