About Green Animals Topiary Garden
Green Animals is a garden where the hedges stare back.
More than eighty sculpted trees and shrubs occupy the seven-acre property overlooking Narragansett Bay. Bears, birds, a giraffe, camel, dog, unicorn, and other figures appear among formal flowerbeds, paths, orchards, and vegetable gardens. Some shapes are unmistakably animals while others lean into geometric forms.
The estate’s topiary tradition began in the early twentieth century under gardener Joseph Carreiro, who worked on the property for decades. Later superintendent George Mendonca continued shaping and maintaining the collection. The Brayton family eventually left the property to the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1972.
Because the sculptures are alive, Green Animals never looks exactly the same from one visit to the next. Growth, trimming, flowers, and seasonal conditions continuously alter the edges of the figures. The garden operates seasonally, so visitors should check the official Newport Mansions website before making a special trip.