Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden (Bishopville, South Carolina)

When you drive into Bishopville, South Carolina, you immediately know that there's something different about the place.  The main street is like alot of other small town main streets in South Carolina, except that it looks a little more hopeful, more optimistic - and there in the center of Main Street is a neat brick median planted with four evergreen topiaries, and not just your everyday topiaries.

A few months ago, I was fortunate to be able to attend the opening of the documentary, A Man Named Pearl, about Bishopville topiary artist Pearl Fryar.  Since I've lived in South Carolina, I've heard alot about this man (all good) and although I've always thought I'd love to see his garden up-close, I simply never made the two and more hour drive to Bishopville.  The documentary about his life is being released into a few markets soon (I've heard Charleston, Charlotte, Knoxville, and Indianapolis, but I'm not sure) and the hope is that it will get picked up for broader distribution at some point.  I most certainly hope all of you get the opportunity to see it.

As for me, seeing his garden in person was everything I thought it would be and much, much more.  I thought about it on the drive back to Charleston - and all I could come up with is that this man is simply everything that is written about him.  He's the real thing.  He's a man who forty years ago started cutting the shrubs around his house differently.  He's a man with a vision bigger than his three acres of land, bigger than Bishopville, and bigger than the state of South Carolina.  So here's how it goes:  you drive into Bishopville, you see the topiaries on Main Street, then you stop and ask where the topiary garden is.  A guy on a bicycle at the gas station tells you that you need to turn around, and take a right immediately after the town's only cemetery.  After the turn, you can't miss it.  At the turn you notice a few small, subtle topiaries (that you hadn't noticed driving into town), then you turn and you start driving down Broad Acres Road and you look up and well, everybody's right:  you can't miss it.  There, a bit up the road, on the left, is a 'yard' like no other.  Yes, 165 Broad Acres Road.  How could you miss it?

So, everything I'd read said that Fryar was always working in his garden, and that he loved when folks stopped by, and that he'd stopped whatever he was doing to talk with you.  So here it was, almost 5 pm on a Saturday evening, and there he was, working in his garden with another man.  There was that tractor that he was always riding around on in the documentary, and there was a ladder (he always kept a ladder close by).  They were planting annuals in a huge heart-shaped trench that he had dug into  the lawn - it  was just under the words 'Love, Peace, and Goodwill' that he had already planted.

So he stopped, and talked with us.  He tells us that we can walk around as long as we'd like and take as many pictures as we want.  This man in Bishopville made this garden out of mostly unwanted plants, he doesn't use fertilizers or pesticides, and he rarely waters (and we get hot and dry here).  All of the sculptures and fountains in the garden he has made from just things he found 'laying around'.  He has numerous plants, such as short-needled evergreens, that really shouldn't be growing in his garden (much less thriving).  He's really into mentoring young kids now, because he feels that anybody can take anything and make it something special.  If that's not true with gardening, I don't know what is.  He feels that if you work hard enough at something that you love, that eventually, someone will take notice.  I guess he was right - because he smiled a big smile when I told him that I had seen the opening of his documentary in Charleston (he immediately asked if I had liked it), and then he went on to tell us about how the Garden Conservancy was working with him to see that his garden is cared for and that it will be preserved in the future (Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden Fund of the Garden Conservancy).  The pride he takes in the place is etched in his face, and his passion for his garden is beyond anything I have ever seen.  If you're experiencing a bit of the gardening doldrums, or any kind of doldrums for that matter, go visit this man.  He is about as contagious a person as I have met in my life.   As for his garden, I'll show you a bit of what I captured, but just know that the real thing is so much better.

     

Comments

[Carol]

I've seen at least one documentary on Pearl and his gardens. It is nice to know he is the "real deal".

[Joan]

Isn't it grand! I went there last year but I wasn't lucky enough to see him in action.

[Pam/Digging]

He sounds like a man who's having fun out there. Topiaries are not generally my cup of tea, but when it's taken to that extreme, it's actually weirdly cool.

[Vera]

What beautiful work. When is this documentary coming to Charleston again?

[layanee]

What a special person with a special garden. If I am ever in that area, I will look him up. You have to admire passion!

[Pam]

Carol: I think there have been a few pieces done about him already - but I never saw them. This one was really quite nice (and the link has a two-minute trailer I believe) - and I would love it if he got more national coverage.

Joan: It was great - he was just standing there by the road, getting ready to plant some flowers. Just like everyone had said, he loved talking about his garden. I can't imagine having people walking around my yard all of the time (but then I don't think I have to worry about that anytime soon!).

Pam: I've never been a topiary fan either (okay, let's face it - I've never been all that fond of pruning anything, much less something into an identifiable shape!) - but his place is just so 'out there' that it's hard not to just fall for it. This guy had no training, it really is amazing how he shaped things - the large squarish trip with the rounder object on top is a live oak. I couldn't believe it. He has a dogwood tree shaped like a ball. It's craziness.

Vera: I don't know. I'd keep checking in on the website for the documentary (I think I provided the link - it's called "A Man Named Pearl." I think you'd love it.

Layanee: It would be worth it. And I so agree - the passion he has for that place is just over-the-top. And he makes you feel like anything is possible.

[Christopher C in Hawaii]

I think garden bloggers are doing a good job of getting him much more attention. This is like the third post I have seen on him in the last year, but the first personal visit from a blogger. Very nice.

[Pam]

Christopher C: I think it's great that folks outside of South Carolina know about him - like I said in my post, it was my first visit - and his place exceeded my expectations. I left his garden inspired, truly. Once you move back to this coast - perhaps you'll be able to visit as well. His passion is contagious.

[Ryan Jansens]

I don't know how many foreign visitors are coming here, but I'm certainly going there this summer. I'm from The Netherlands and found this place through roadsideamerica.com

[LaVonne L Fryar by marriage]

Hello Pearl,

Saw you on Tv Thursday morning and was inspired by the work you do very nicely done. You might not remember me but I am your brother's daughter in-law. I married Sam Fryar son John from Faison, N.C. and I understand you are Uncle Rufus son from Faison, NC. How nice to turn TV on and see someone you can identify with. Your work is awesome and I enjoyed looking at the different shapes you have made out of your shrubs, if I am ever in South Carolina again I will take the time to visit your garden.

As every,
LaVonne Fryar
Baltimore, Md.

[Robin Cox]

Just saw you on t.v. this a.m. with Richard Green. Was very impressed. I was going to talk to my Yard Man to see about cutting a large wax myrle down that is blocking a beautiful view of the Creek at our beach house in Garden City Beach, SC. Now I am thinking about just cutting it back in a shape which would be as beautiful as the view. how could I get one of those "3 minute lessons" like you did many years ago? I don't even know how to use a hedge trimmer. I guess that is what you would use. Otherwise, it will have to be removed with a chainsaw. What a waste!

[mona]

pearl is amazing. i must make a trip once i map it out im there. i just watched a show about you on hgtv

[Ros]

What an inspiration this man is. The documentary is something to see if you can't BE THERE.

[Bonnie]

I taped the show "A Man Named Pearl" and was brought to tears! What a wonderful man Pearl is! This man is an inspiration in my eyes. He does wonderful things for the children that come to see the work that he does. I hope that someday we can go see it in person!
God Bless you Pearl! And..what a wonderful wife he has. Couples out there could learn from these two on how to have a GREAT marriage!

[Linda Anderson / West Chicago, Illinois]

I just watched "A Man Named Pearl" and found Mr. Fryar simply awe inspiring. Not only is his garden the most beautiful topiary garden but it is Mr. Pearl's character that left the biggest impression with me. He is a man of faith, compassion, kindness and love. His marriage to his lovely wife is inspiring, his hard work and determination is extremely obvious and this gentleman seems like the "real deal". I found him to be a facsinating man. I applaude Mr. Pearl for his talent but mostly for his huge kind heart. I think he could be an example to us all on how to conduct our lives....full of passion, kindness, love and truth. God Bless Mr. Pearl and his lovely wife. I hope I can visit you and your garden someday.

[JSRose]

What a cool guy, gifted artist and inspiration. I also liked the way this program was done.

[Janet]

Amazing! Pearl has a gift and it's nice to see he's sharing it.

[DDNOC]

I saw A Man Named Pearl on HGTV today, 4/3/09. Wow! I did not know that someone so talented existed. His work is absolutely beautiful and even more so because he is self taught. I'm inspired to do some landscaping and maybe I'll even attempt to turn the overgrown bush in my yard into a topiary.

[DR]

I too saw A Man Named Pearl on HGTV today, 4/3/09. I was amazed to see such an inspirational program, original format, on HGTV. What a story indeed! The passion and love that Mr. Frye has put into his work is the passion and love that is an integral part of who he is. His love for others; his love for doing something with purpose. His wife is lovely. She's a woman who actually knows how to love her man; she leaves him alone to do what he loves. That garden is a love fest for him. I was amazed to learn that Mr. Frye would come home after working a 12 hour shift and work in his garden till the wee hours. That goes to show you that when you're doing what you love, you're never too tired to do it! I applaud HGTV for showing the story. I thought it was very well done. I loved it! It looks like Mr. Frye's gardening is keeping him fit as a fiddle. He looks healthy. I was surprised to see no eyeglasses, and he moves with the agility of someone younger than 68. I loved the program. Thanks so much for A Man Named Pearl.

[Sandra Esche]

Pearl, I saw the documentary. I thought of my students at North Elementary School in Poseyville, and of one boy in particular. I let him watch one of your video's on trimming and using a reciprocating blade. You said you prefer a gas trimmer. I told him about you and how this started as a hobby using plants that were being thrown out, but that you got permission to rummage through them and make selections at no charge. Wow! Pearl, you are an amazing man who has inspired me and my students to realize we should do something we love and we should share peace and love with others.
Sandra Esche, author of Sh! I've Got Something to Tell You- a picture book

[James Horne]

Hi everyone, I myself saw a " A Man Named Pearl", and was astonished. I caught the documentary on HGTV about, two weeks ago and, havent been able to get it out of my mind. Just last weekend I went out and purchased small trees and strategically, planted them in my yard with much excitement. Thank you Mr. Fryar, I hope I have the honor of meeting you one day, you are an inspiration. I was touched by the documentary I saw of your beautiful workmanship. Keep up the good work! GOD BLESS

[Jean Grosser]

For more information about Pearl Fryar go to his website at http//www.pearlfryar.com

[Cynthia Carter]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a developing writer, I visited Pearl's garden this weekend and the magic in the garden was the positive force needed to launch the next chapter of my book.

A beautiful and serene place to observe nature at it's best.

[Jolie Driggers]

My Name is Jolie Driggers, And I Work For the Chamber of Commerce in Bishopville, and WOW At the calls we get about Mr. Pearl. I was going through and reading all of your wonderful comments about him and not only does it make me proud to see this man everyday and live my life on the same streets as he does, but I wanted to add in there what kind of man Mr. Pearl is. You would think after so much publicity and "fame" he gets just by waking up in the morning and "Cuttin Bushes"(So he calls it), He would have some what of an ego... Well.. He Does (HaHa) but not the kind as I would have or Most other people I know Would. He is one of the Most Down-To-Earth People you would ever meet, and He Comes into The Chamber just to Stay Clear of Some of the Craziness in his Everyday life.You will NOT See Him without his Carolina Gamecocks hat on, Well other than Going To Church or A Special Event (Mostly In His Honor). He Loves Everyone That See's His work for what it is (Beautiful). Now To Add, If Ever Anyone Would Like To Visit Mr. Pearls Garden or Find out More About Him And His Work. Just Give us a Call Here At The Lee County Chamber and Mrs.Pam Or Myself (Jolie) Can Assist you in ANY Way Possible... I Hope you Continue to Enjoy his Work and Hopefully Each of you will have the Enormous Pleasure of Shaking hands with this Special man one day soon.

[Pam]

Hi Jolie, and thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment. I also think that everybody needs to stop by his garden - it's an uplifting, unique experience. You guys are fortunate to have him in your county!