Harper's Topiary Garden is a private garden in the Middletown neighborhood of San Diego, California, containing over 50 plant sculptures that have been used in topiary. All of the plants have been trimmed by hand. Entering the garden is prohibited; visitors can only view and photograph the area.[1]
Harper's Topiary Garden | |
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![]() The garden in 2009 | |
Type | Garden |
Location | 3549 Union St, San Diego, CA 92103 |
Coordinates | 32°44′28″N 117°10′33″W / 32.7411°N 117.1759°W |
Created | 1994 |
Designer | Edna Harper |
Owned by | Harper family |
Plants | 50+ |
History
editThe garden was created in 1994, by Edna Harper from the Mission Hills neighborhood of the city. She started it after she saw a Cape honeysuckle that had moved into their yard from a neighbor's garden. Edna envisioned turning the plant's vines into elephants, inspired by the travels she and her husband, Alex, had gone on.[1][2] Alex, originally disagreed with the idea, but eventually caved in, paying for the water and the gardener, Pedro Duran.[3][4] Edna spends 3-4 hours daily working on the garden and is helped by Alex, who tends to the taller figures. Duran also assists daily.[2][5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Harper's Topiary Garden | Hidden San Diego". Hidden San Diego. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "THE PLACE: Harper's Topiary Garden". The San Diego Union-Tribune. April 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Saunders, Mark; Horn, Allison (November 8, 2019). "Exploring San Diego: Mission Hills home transformed into whimsical topiary garden". ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Dylan, Scott (April 24, 2021). "Harper's Topiary Garden In Southern California Just Might Be The Strangest Tourist Trap Yet". OnlyInYourState. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Ariana (October 30, 2023). "Edna Scissorhands | San Diego woman designs unique home garden". KFMB-TV. Retrieved March 17, 2024.