Whimsical Plant Wonderland: Green AnimalsTopiary Garden a treat for the eyes

摘要

Topiary comes from the Latin word "topiarus". Strictly translated it means "landscape gardener." Since these folks tended these living sculptures, the plants became known as "topiaries." Eventually, topiary took on the meaning of the art of clipping evergreen plant material into geometric patterns and shapes. European royalty and religious monks most often created these topiaries. They were among the few people of that era who had the time, money and patience to build and tend to these gardens. Thisis not the case for Green Animals Topiary Garden in Rhode Island. It is one of the nation's most famous, oldest and most northern topiaries. Joseph Carreiro, superintendent of the property from 1905 to 1945, introduced and tended the topiary from the turn-of-the-century until his death. George Mendonca, his son-in-law, continued the tradition and served as superintendent of the gardens until 1985.