Green Animals Topiary Garden, Portsmouth, RI

Green Animals is the oldest topiary garden in the United States.  It has over 80 different topiary.  The shapes range from birds and animals to geometric figures and ornamental designs.  English Boxwood, California Privet and Yew are used for the sculptures.

When I get the chance to go to Green Animals, I'm as excited as a little girl going to Disneyland!  This property is about as close to perfection as you can get.  It has a lovely white antique house with a wrap-around porch overlooking Narragansett Bay.  I would be in heaven if I could just grab a cool minty Mojito, sit myself down in a rocking chair and watch the sailboats go by all afternoon.  If that isn't heavenly enough, walk along the wide gravel path surrounded by meticulously trimmed green archways and make your way to the gardens.

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

“Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles

 and get excited about the privileges of simply being human” - Tom Hansel

  

If you are as moved by beautiful landscaping as I am, you may find yourself getting choked up at the loveliness of these gardens.  When you consider the time, effort and planning it has taken to achieve these results, you know that the folks working and volunteering at Green Animals must love every moment of their effort.  All their efforts have produced magical results in the luscious, colorful plantings and playful topiaries in the gardens.

Gardener Joseph Carreiro and his son-in-law George Mendonca were both superintendents of the property and were responsible for creating the topiaries.  Their family managed the property for 80 years; starting in 1905 until 1985!  What a wonderful family creation.  I can just imagine the grandchildren visiting and looking in wonder as they are told "Your Grandfather made these green animals!"

If you love topiaries, marvel at these!

   

     

 

Just love the Bear!

   

 

 

 Now on to the flowers and plantings...

     

  

   

 

 Blue Hydrangeas are always a favorite 

This photo really demonstrates the lushness

in the layering of the plantings.

 

A New England couple

  working in their garden!  

  

Love the archways and covered paths!

      

 Just breathtaking from every perspective!

  

See the little bird?  It was like he was posing for his picture!

  
Exploring Green Animals topiary garden is a wonderful way to lose yourself for an afternoon.  The gardens are extraordinary and impeccably maintained with layers of colorful plantings.  The property is owned by the Newport Preservation Society and is located in Portsmouth, RI.  If you are interested in exploring Green Animals, I have included a link to information below.

http://www.newportmansions.org/explore/green-animals-topiary-garden

One last photo of the house and gardens...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!  If you have any suggestions for improvement, I'd love to hear from you.

Gorgeous Day - Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff Mansion!

 

This was my first year attending the Newport Flower Show.  I've always wanted to go but it's never fit with my schedule.  This year's theme was "Jade: Eastern Obsessions!" and the show was held from June 21st to the 23rd.  Designs were inspired by food, colors and images of the Far East.  It did not disappoint!  The weather was perfect.  My husband commented that at $18 per person (we bought tickets early), this was a true bargain!  We got to spend the day at the Rosecliff mansion, enjoy live music and sip wine as we enjoyed the grounds. The proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the preservation of the 88 acres of historic gardens and grounds maintained by The Preservation Society of Newport County.

  

 

 

Stunning Rosecliff Mansion was built for Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1902.   It was modeled after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles, by the architect Stanford White.

 

Porsche had cars on display at the show.  

Imagine driving around Newport in this hot little car!

Spectacular arrangement with lilies and roses.

 

 

 You can see the theme in many of the floral designs,

 like this amazing dragon that was at the entry to the show.

"Floating" lanterns.

 

This little one is having a great time

and traveling in pampered doggy style!

 

 

 

 

 

  That cloth you're holding isn't covering much Sister!

Love this statue!

 

There were many booths and displays with items for sale.  These are some of my favorites of the day:





 

I purchased one of these "Edge-a-lawn" garden edgers and will let you know how well it works after our garden project.

 

 Just love these clever napkin holders!  Imagine using these for a garden brunch.  How fun! 

 

 

These "Pennoyer Newman" planters are very lightweight and probably some of the most convincing cement-look planters I've ever seen.  They are pricey but they will tolerate extreme temperatures and will be easy to move around the property.

 

 Always love silver! 

 

A sampling of floral arrangements and show participants:

 

Holy giant Begonia! First place!

Topiaries!

 

 

Displays of participants samples

 

Peonies are always a favorite

 

Just love this display. 

Some more of my favorites....

 

   

 

 

 

 

Enjoy some sneak peeks inside Rosecliff. 

Every time I tour the mansions, I get inspired and find some things I would like to incorporate at home.  I'm not sure what the wall color is in the mansion but it is not pure white.  It appears to be almost a light coffee colored white.  I love it.  The other thing I noticed that I will definitely do at home is that the French doors in the mansion are mirrored!  I have a French door in my dining room on the outside of my china closet and will definitely be adding a mirrors to it.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Notice the mirrors on all of the French doors.

 

 

This shot shows the wall color a little better. 

It's definitely a coffee white.

 

 

If you've never toured the Newport Mansions, I highly recommend it.  It is a lovely way to spend the day or a weekend.  You'll get to explore beautiful mansions, learn some great history and interesting stories, enjoy gorgeous landscapes and gardens and wonderful ocean views.  There are many cozy bed and breakfasts in Newport to choose from and lots of great restaurants.

 

If you're interested in touring the mansions or learning more, I've included the link to the Newport Preservation Society below. 

 

http://www.newportmansions.org/

 

Please stop back for my next post where we will be exploring "Green Animals" topiary garden in Portsmouth, RI.