fryar's topiary garden

949JessicaK

This is such a remarkable man and his garden is awesome! I have passed by driving on I 20 for years and the other day decided to stop. It is less than 5 minutes off the Interstate and well worth a stop! Just so unique. A remarkable show of years of work and imagination. Will stop again when its a warmer day. loved it !

christinag234

Have you seen the documentary "A Man Named Pearl"? It tells the story of Pearl Fryar, who combined mathematical skills and gardening to created a world-renowned topiary garden. Many of his amazing creations started with shrubs pulled from the garbage pile of a local garden center. Mixed in are plants, bushes and trees sent to Pearl from around the world. Visiting Fryar's Topiary Garden is a true treat! When I stopped by Pearl himself was outside, greeting a group of visitors . (The gardens surround the home Pearl shares with his wife.) Pearl personally showed us around the gardens, naming the varieties of growth and pointing out his original, and versatile, artwork. If you are lucky enough to meet Pearl on your visit, ask him about his scholarship fund - or to sign one of his DVDs for you!

ADW04

This is an amazing site for anyone interested in seeing the artistry of nature. If you are in the area please stop by and view this awesome work.

GruffandMeri

My brother took me on my recent visit to him in South Carolina. "I thought you'd like to see a topiary garden this morning" was the comment as we got into the car. This in no way prepared me for the marvellous garden lovingly created by Mr Fryar. We were the only visitors and were able to spend some time talking to him about the creation, development and up keep of the garden. Amazing to think it was originally a corn field.The whole garden is kept beautifully, and the use of recycled materials for the sculptures fascinating. I would definitely recommend anyone who loves gardens to make an effort to visit, living in the UK I've seen many gardens featuring topiary but this is special.

CATTSAR

This is one of those things you have to see to believe. It is a unique and awesome attraction. This was my second time here and I was as amazed as the first time. The precision with which Mr. Fryar creates the topiaries is nothing short of awe inspiring. If you are lucky enough to run into Mr. Fryar he is always willing to chat about his work and the fascinating life he has lead. He is a philanthropist and likes to discuss talent verse academics. The garden is easy to get to and worth the drive from Florence or Columbia. It is a great side trip from the I 95 corridor. This is the essence of attraction.

177charless

We got to spend about half an hour with him as we were the only 2 in his garden on a Tues morning. Amazing, unbelievable, incredible, beautiful! And to hear the story behind it all makes it that much more special. Definitely worth the stop! Best 90 minutes of my trip were with him!

DawnR897

Mr. Fryer has turned his yard and property into a Dr. Seuss-like park. He was there and spent quite awhile talking to us and answering questions. In addition to the topiary there's metal sculptures and fountains. He laid the walkways as well. And there's a nice clean restroom for use which was appreciated. At least part of the donation proceeds go to the American Red Cross.It's just off the highway and easy to find - definitely worth the stop.

QuillD

Do make the trip to see Pearl's incredible garden. His dedication and eye for detail on such a gigantic scale is amazing. I heard him lecture in Atlanta in January 2014 and was able to visit the garden in September. It was a lovely day and the grassy lawns and beautiful topiaries seemed to sail across a green sea. Perfectly enchanting experience.

mjsail

We saw Pearl Fryar at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania several years ago, as well as the documentary, "A Man Named Pearl," and we have wanted to visit his topiary gardens ever since. When we phoned ahead to confirm our visit, his dear wife answered with a sweet welcoming voice and told us to come on down!Pearl Fryar has used his artistic talents and inner strength to create a fabulously beautiful topiary garden that has received many garden club awards. The original metal structures and fountains that grace the very large garden areas display his talent further! He is a very humble man, and speaks around the country about his belief in people. Pearl has created scholarships to encourage young people without financial means to go beyond high school. We spent over an hour in the gardens. We were delighted to speak to Pearl on site!!!

537Susiesc

We watched the movie Man Named Pearl, then we went to visit Pearl very interesting. it was well worth the drive to Bishopville. If you have about 30 minutes stop and talk to Pearl.. he is a very interesting person.

787JaneD

To drive up to Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden is awesome. To learn the history of the Garden is is interesting. BUT... to meet the man whose talent and hard work made this treasure is inspiring!!This one attraction made the entire trip worthwhile. If you appreciate gardening even a little, you will appreciate going to the little town of Bishopville, SC for a most unique experience- Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden!

jim_albright

My wife and I made a side trip to see A Man Called Pearl's garden. It is amazing what you can do when you don't know that it is impossible. We talked with an intern and then with Pearl himself. He was pleased to help "C" students make it in college with special grants.You can see some at website: http://www.pearlfryar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:a-man-named-pearl&catid=7:newspress&Itemid=15

REEDE79

Pearl Fryar is a national treasure. A self-taught designer in topiary and a scrounger par excellence (he got most of his plants from dumps and discard piles) he has created a fantasy in a "normal" suburban yard. Topiaries meld with his folk art sculpture in ways that must be seen to be believed. Now supported and to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy, the garden is free and open to the public to wander and enjoy. The marvelous thing is how the neighbors have also taken up topiary (with Mr. Fryar's training?) and the whole block is now equally fantastic.Just 20 minutes west of Florence, SC, the garden is very worth a detour away from I-95. FOLK ART AT ITS BEST

20PRLS

I enjoyed a tour of Mr. Pearl Fryar's garden with my family reunion. Mr. Fryer was our docent and gave an excellent tour. His talk offered a lot of inspiration and encouragement to the children on our tour. What he has done to the gardens is beautiful. This is a hidden gem in SC that is worth a visit. His work has been seen on Oprah and The Today Show.

trainfan1

Pearl Fryar is a living national treasure. I had seen the video "A Man Named Pearl" about his art and his social passion, and I was thrilled to go to his garden of fantastic topiary. A natural artist, he began creating his own style and caught the attention of the art world. His articulate words for his vision of how serious problems of our youth can be solved--and his self-created scholarship fund--caught the attention and support of Bill Gates, Oprah, and other philanthropists and corporations. He is a passionate motivational speaker. I was so fortunate to talk with him, for there he was on his yard tractor doing his everyday trimming. His zeal for helping with social problems and the needs of youth is equal to any 20-year-old going off to the Peace Corps. Do not miss seeing the amazing work of this man! I was visiting my sister who lives in Conway, and we bought his calendar--proceeds of which go to his 501C3 fund to send at-risk teens to technical college for two years. He tells kids, "Don't let someone tell you that where you grew up determines your intelligence."