Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:380 Cory's Lane
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Tel:
(401) 847-1000
Our Botanical Gardens Expert Says:
Visit animals large and small at this Portsmouth, Rhode Island collection of topiary animals! At the Green Animals Topiary Garden, you'll see no "Do not feed the animals" signs and no warnings that creatures may bite or get angry, because all the animals at Green Animals are made out of shrubbery! What a unique way to decorate a garden!
Animals, birds, and geometrical figures and designs, all trimmed out of bushes and trees, decorate the seven acres of land, originally purchased by Thomas E. Brayton in 1877. These living sculptures attract and entertain guests from across the age spectrum—kids will love seeing all their furry friends in green, and mom and dad will appreciate the aesthetics of sculpted gardening. Make sure you bring your camera and take some shots of the kids hugging the cuddly teddy bear, marveling at the majestic unicorn, or looking small next to a jumbo elephant!
Green Animals is one of the Newport Mansions and is preserved by the Preservation Society of Newport County. It's not only the animals and shapes that attract visitors to this quaint estate,, but the other beautiful historic gardens (flower and vegetable) and the Victorian Brayton house, which is also open for tours. The house has a great toy collection in the back—another perk for the kids! The grounds are also quite lovely for a picnic and make for a great afternoon outing with the entire family!
From Green Animals Topiary Garden - Portsmouth, Rhode Island:
A lion, a camel, a bear, oh my! These and dozens of other fanciful animals, a sailing ship, teacups, spirals and other geometric shapes sculpted from living plants populate one of the oldest topiary gardens in North America.