I was saddened to learn of the recent passing (April 4) of one of the most amazing horticulture figures, I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, the incomparable Pearl Fryar. It was 30 years ago this month, when I was speaking at South Carolina’s Brookgreen Garden, that we first met. Pearl was speaking ahead of me, on topiary gardening. Being one who leads an anti-pruning bandwagon, I had never heard of Peal Fryar, and had little interest in a talk about topiary. But, as Pearl took the stage with a couple of overgrown nursery shrubs and a pair of electric hedge clippers, I found myself suddenly paying attention, both to his topiary work, as well as his philosophy of life. I remember hurrying to the stage afterwards to exchange contact information, in the hope our paths would cross again.
Despite our divergent plant focus, it wasn’t long before I made the pilgramage to Pearl’s garden in Bishopville, SC, just off Interstate 20. After our first encounter, I had researched more about Pearl, including reading a number of articles about his work, but nothing prepared me for what greeted me, when I arrived at his modest brick ranch home. Pearl had transformed what was a barren lot, into a unimaginable fantasyland of topiary art. The scope of his work, combined with his creative imagination was a true marvel.
Pearl began his life in Clinton, North Carolina (Sampson County), where he was born and raised as a son of a sharecropper. He went on to attend college at NC Central University, before his armed services stint in Korea. From there, he and his wife Metra, moved to New York, where he spent a 36 year career working for American Can Company. Pearl, was eventually transferred to the SC plant in 1981, and purchased a city lot in the tiny staid town of Bishopville, SC. While the neighbors fretted that Pearl’s presence there would “ruin the neighborhood”, Pearl made it his retirement goal to win the Yard of the Month Award.
Pearl began to search high and low for overstocked, deformed, or otherwise cast off evergreen shrubs from nurseries and retailers, often retrieving them from large nursery piles, where they were being composted. The patience required and the sheer act of assembling enough plants to create topiaries is in and of itself a monumental feet, even before the the art of shaping them could begin.
From the first minute you met Pearl, you felt like you’d known him your entire life. Pearl was a deeply spiritual man, who exuded love and care for all people, with a strong goal of wanting to improve people’s lives. As word spread about his topiary garden, the television crews and news media began making regular appearances at Pearl’s home. When such a media event would happen, Pearl would invite the underprivileged kids in the region to attend, so they could see what could happen to anyone, if they made an effort to excel. This would lead Pearl to establish scholarships for underprivileged kids, who he described as “average students’ to allow them to attend trade schools, a career path, he felt was sorely neglected.
Topiary artists from the worlds top gardens, made the trek to Bishopville, to study Pearl’s unique, self-taught topiary styles.
Before long, Pearl was being invited to lecture around the world, finding himself in the presence of some of the world’s wealthiest citizens. He was welcomed by University Presidents and the like, to sit in their private suites at University Athletic and other events. After doing all of his topiary trimming on ladders for decades, one of Pearl’s benefactors donated a lift truck, which became a much safer option, as Pearl aged. At it’s peak, the garden documented an annual attendance of over 10,000 people. The 2006 documentary, A Man Named Pearl, shared his amazing story. Despite, the newfound fame, Pearl remained the same, down-to-Earth, welcoming person, until his death.
His commercial for John Deere, equipment, which he used, resulted in the gift of a new mower.
Until the last few years, as Pearl’s health failed, it was routine to find Pearl out in the garden, conversing with visitors from around the world, where he shared his philosophies of life.
I was blessed share the stage several more times with this amazing man, and never tired of hearing him share his incredible life story.
Although the Garden Conservancy has adopted Pearl’s garden under their preservation umbrella, it’s hard to know what that will look like. Our fingers are crossed that preservation efforts are successful. Regardless, Pearl’s life of inspiration sparked a many people, including protege’s like young topiary artist, Mike (Gibby) Gibson, who was the first artist in residence at the Pearl Fryar Garden, and now does freelance topiary work around the country. Pearl’s spirit continues it’s amazing journey.
This makes me think there might be a use for the rabbit – created “lollipops “in my garden. Thanks for this article, it was a really interesting read, and I’m sad not to have met him or visited his garden.
Tony,
Great tribute to Pearl and his memory. We first learned of him many years ago. We were fascinated and amazed with his talent and creativity. Since we live and garden in South Georgia, we appreciated that he too was from the Deep South. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories of such an amazing gardener and artist.
I met Pearl along with Erica Glasner at Southeast Flowershow in Atlanta. Maybe 30 or more years ago. They were on podium together. What a wonderful human presence he is. Apparently the show is defunct now. I will always remember our meeting that day. JL
A life well lived and shared.
Thank you Tony, that was a beautiful tribute to an amazing artist and an inspirational life.
Thank you for sharing. What a lovely man and lovely work! We need more people like Pearl in this world.
So true!
Wonderful tribute and history of an amazing man, thank you.
Wonderful story.
Thank you for sharing it with us!
I’ve seen the documentary about Pearl and seen several documentary’s about this gentle mans passion and work. He was truly a gentle soul and a gift to all around him. RIP Pearl
Fabulous article, amazing natural talent,thank you so much for bringing recognition and pictures.
Thank you for sharing this. He was am amazing man.
What a wonderful article. Thanks for letting us know.
What a wonderful story! I had not heard of Pearl Fryar and have never been a fan of topiary, but this story goes beyond the topiary to the man himself. I wish I had known him. What a shining example of humanity he is, we need more like him. I hope his gardens will still be lovingly tended and his documentary will be shared and watched by many. I watched the trailer but haven’t yet watched the documentary itself, though I will! A lovely story and a lovely man.
Thank you, Tony, for this update on Pearl Friar. I visited his place a few years ago, took many photos to share with clients who abused their conifers and boxwoods and then wanted “something done”. He truly was an exceptional human being. Not only is the garden an inspiration but so is he, the man.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing Tony.
I like topiary now.
What an incredible and heart-warming story, Thank you very much.
Thanks for sharing, Tony. I saw “A Man Called Pearl” when it debuted and was inspired to visit his garden as soon as I could. Later I surprised my wife with a visit–“Why are we turning down this road??!!” (in Bishopville, SC). A great gardener and a wonderful man.
Thank you, Tony, for writing this beautiful tribute to a most extraordinary horticulturist. At my first visit to his topiary garden, I was awed by its sublime artistry, but surprised by the healthy performance of the sheared conifers. Undoubtedly, Mr. Fryar knew the art and science of topiary.