Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden

Several years ago Janet and I saw a documentary on television about a man in South Carolina named Pearl Fryar.  Many years ago Pearl started a garden of shrubs and flowers in his three acre back yard.  He started trimming his shrubs into various shapes without any horticulture training at all.  In fact, experts have told him he shouldn't be able to do what he has done with certain shrubs he has trimmed.  Today Pearl gets visitors by the bus load from all across the country due to the documentary.  He also gives speeches all over the country and has been on many tv shows explaining his gardening passion.  He has won numerous awards and does a lot of good things to help many under privileged people in the area.

When Pearl moved to Bishopville, South Carolina from New York due to his job relocation he looked at houses in a neighborhood where people didn't want him to live there because they were afraid he wouldn't keep up his yard.  Pearl ended up buying a house in another area of town in the middle of a corn field.  Pearl then proceeded to put in a three acre garden that eventually was named the Garden of the Month by the Bishopville, NC Iris Garden Club.  The first such award ever given to a black person.  The plants he originally planted all came from a scrap pile at a local nursery.  He is 73 years old today but appears to be very fit which he attributes to his gardening.  We spoke to Pearl for quite a while and found him to be a genuinely nice guy and very interesting to talk to.

The town of Bishopville has used topiary in two city blocks downtown to try and revitalize the downtown area to attract more visitors.  I think every person in South Carolina knows who Pearl Fryar is.

This sign is on the main highway leading to Pearl's house