September 9, 2010   <<  Back to Research Reports Newport Mansions   Green Animals Living Art: A Singular Expression of Portuguese-American Cultural Traditions and Values Holly Collins Green Animals Topiary Garden (begun in 1907) is a singular creation. The landscape of this country estate on the shores of Narragansett Bay is a fusion of American and Portugese horticultural practices, the result of two generations of Portugese gardeners working in the gardens. This research report examines the historical evolution of the gardens at Green Animals, biographical essays on the key historical figures of the Braytons, who owned the estate, and the Carreiro and Mendoncas, who were the two generations of Portugese-American gardeners at Green Animals. The report also contains detailed information on the topiary forms in the garden.                                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS I.   Biographies...............................................................................................................1-17                  Thomas Edward Brayton                José Carriero                Alice Brayton               George Mendonça     II.   Timeline of Events 1857-1997................................................................................18-22     III.  Individual Garden Elements at Green Animals..........................................................23-30               Damask Rose Garden              Fruit Trees & Espaliers              Formal Garden              Annual Display                Herb Garden              Arbors              Giant Reed Grass              Figs              Dahlia Bed               Berries              Perennial Border              Bamboo              Cloverleaf              Pet Cemetery              Fish Pond              Cutting Garden               Vegetable Garden              Compost Pile              Significant Trees   IV.  Structures.............................................................................................................31-33                         Main House               Summer Kitchen              Ice House              Barn and Gardening Tools              Caretaker’s Cottage               Out Houses              Lean-to Greenhouse              Cold Frames              New Greenhouse              Head House       V.  Topiary Documentation..........................................................................................34-82                    Garden entry                     Topiary border              Formal Garden              Upper Topiary Lawns              Pet Cemetery, Cloverleaf and Chinese Gateway   VI.  Early Garden Views........................................................................................... 83-85   VII.  A Comparison of Garden Elements of São Miguel and Green Animals................86-99   VIII. Plant Lists:  1980 and 1983 brochures   IX.    Bibliography   X.     Appendix:  A Collection of Carriero Family Photographs circa1920s. The information contained in this report is the property of The Preservation Society of Newport County, and is protected by copyright laws.  It is provided for your personal, non-commercial and educational use only.  This material may not be copied, published, reproduced, transmitted, distributed or modified without the express written permission of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Click here to download Green Animals Living Art   RELATED ITEMS A History of The Preservation Society of Newport County A Study of Chateau sur Mer Report I: The Wetmore Family and Their Domestics A Study of Chateau sur Mer Report II: Rites of Passage: The Wetmores of Chateau sur Mer Kingscote's Coming of Age: A Sentimental Journey Servant Life at The Breakers: A Room with a View   NEWPORT MANSIONS is a registered trademark of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Our tickets should not be presented at any other mansion in Newport except The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House, and Rosecliff.