Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

     The town of Bishopville is not the top destination spot for South Carolina. It is the county seat for Lee county, one of the poorest counties in the state. In fact, the average household income in 2009 for Bishopville was $27,376; the state average was $42,442 (http://www.city-data.com/city/Bishopville-South-Carolina.html). Close to a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line. If you take a drive through Lee County, you will find mostly cotton fields.

      While Lee County does not appear to have much to offer, look again. In addition to the Button King, Bishopville is also home to the famous Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden. Back in the 1980s Pearl Fryar set himself the goal to be the first African American to win Bishopville's Yard of the Month. Accomplishing this required something special since his yard fell outside the town limits and he is African American. Pearl Fryar began visiting compost piles behind local nurseries and rescuing thrown away plants. These misfits were then transformed into what Pearl calls “living sculptures.”

Pearl Fryar in his garden (photo by Nathan Redding)

   

   Today, over 20 years later, a walk through Pearl Fryar's garden transports you from 145 Broad Acres Road to a paradisaical land that reminds me of scenes in Dr. Seuss books. You are first greeted by a green triangle of squares, ovals and and towers in the driveway and then a medley of fountains and sculpture pieces boasting messages of L-O-V-E. There are also towering square trees, archways, swirls, circles and every other shape imaginable spread throughout the 3 ½ acre garden. 

Dr. Seuss-like trees (photo by Krista Jones)

      Needless to say, Pearl won Yard of the Month. But his success and determination have taken him further. Pearl and his misfit plants have achieved global attention for defying the rules of horticulture. In fact, Pearl says that horticulturists and botanists often point to Pearl's creations and say “that's not possible” to the man with no formal topiary training save a 3 minute demonstration in a nursery. Pieces of Pearl's work have been placed in downtown Bishopville, the Bishopville Waffle House, the SC State Museum and Kansas City. 

Another view in the garden (photo by Krista Jones)

      In addition to his topiary art, Pearl also creates fountains and sculptures. He refers to these as his “junk art.” Most of these boast the word “love” or hearts. All the materials come from his collected junk pile. Pearl remarked to Nathan and I that the beauty of his “junk art” is that unlike his plants, these pieces do not require maintenance. Like topiary, Pearl Fryar has received no formal training in metal working. Yet, his pieces are acclaimed and sought after (sorry, but he does not make these on commission). 

Dog drinking at water fountain, a "junk art" piece (photo by Krista Jones)

Pot head, another "junk art" piece (photo by Krista Jones)

      In both his documentary video A Man Named Pearl and in our conversation with him Wednesday, the message Pearl Fryar is sending out is that everyone is special and deserves to be loved. This is evident in the attention each shrub and tree receives (they all are trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks) and in Pearl's open hospitality. Pearl's work is clear evidence that love can make any break and void repaired fully just as his throw away misfit plants are now vivacious sculptures.

L-O-V-E, another "junk art" piece (photo by Nathan Redding)

 

Backside of driveway (photo by Krista Jones)

      The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden is located at:

145 Broad Acres Road

Bishopville, SC

(803)-484-5581

*The garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm*

**There is no admission fee but donations are accepted**

      You can also visit his website at:

www.pearlfryar.com

Until next time,

Krista