Harper's Topiary Garden

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Harper's Topiary Garden
Harper's Topiary Garden Jan 2009.jpg
The garden in 2009
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TypeGarden
Location3549 Union St, San Diego, CA 92103
Coordinates 32°44′28″N117°10′33″W / 32.7411°N 117.1759°W / 32.7411; -117.1759
Created1994
DesignerEdna Harper
Owned byHarper family
Plants50+

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 are trimmed by hand. Entering the garden is prohibited; visitors can only view and photograph the area. [1]

History

The 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]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Harper's Topiary Garden | Hidden San Diego". Hidden San Diego. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Cohen, Ariana (October 30, 2023). "Edna Scissorhands | San Diego woman designs unique home garden". KFMB-TV . Retrieved March 17, 2024.