Green Animals Topiary Garden, a former estate purchased in 1872 that slowly evolved into one of the largest topiary gardens in the nation, features over 80 sculpted trees. Some of the gardens’ most popular tree transformations include giant teddy bears, a giraffe that regrew its head after devastating hurricane storm damage, an elephant family, and more sculptured California privet, yew, and English boxwood trees.
The animals and figurines are spread among fountains, gardens, and hydrangea shrubs. The property is now maintained by the Newport Mansions portfolio, making it an amazing addition to a Rhode Island summer excursion!
The estate was once the holiday home of Thomas E. Brayton, treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. Gardener Joseph Carreiro slowly transformed the grounds into a living garden as steward from 1905 until 1945.
Thomas’ daughter, Alice Brayton, renamed the estate “Green Animals” in 1940 when she took up permanent residence, in honor of the decades-long craftmanship present on the grounds. Hurricanes in 1938 and 1954 required extensive repairs, but the topiary garden is now the longest standing in the nation and more colorful and abundant than ever.
In 1947 the estate hosted Jackie Bouvier, later to become Jackie Kennedy, where she went on to meet the future President John F. Kennedy.
Find the historic Green Animals Topiary Garden at:
380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871