Remembering Pearl Fryar

April 27, 2026

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Pearl Fryar, renowned topiary artist, died on Saturday, April 4th, 2026. For over a decade, Pearl's topiary gardens have graced our stories and educational content. Pearl Fryar has taken topiary and spread it across the country, far beyond the borders of Bishopville, South Carolina.

We are proud to share these ETV Classics as we remember Pearl Fryar who delighted our eyes with his beautiful gardens and his willingness to teach and mentor others in this art form.

For more content related to Pearl Fryar on YouTube, visit Side Notes.

From The Sky - Roadside Attractions including Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden.

Roadside Attractions (2024) | From the Sky | ETV Classics

We join From the Sky to uncover the history and facts behind some of South Carolina's most iconic roadside attractions, including stunning aerial views of Pearl Fryar's topiary gardens. You won't want to miss this!

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Philip Simmons Memorial Garden - Pearl Fryar.

The Philip Simmons Memorial Garden - Charleston, SC (2023) | Making It Grow | ETV Classics

The Philip Simmons Memorial Garden or "Heart Garden" at the St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC was a collaboration sponsored by the Spoleto Festival to celebrate two of South Carolina's internationally known artisans: blacksmith Philip Simmons and topiary artist Pearl Fryar. This was Philip Simmons's church, and the grounds are surrounded by his decorative ironworks including this peaceful garden that is full of topiaries created by Pearl Fryar. 

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Pearl Fryar - Carolina Snaps.

Pearl Fryar's Garden (2021) | Carolina Snaps | ETV Classics

Did you know that South Carolina has its own secret garden? OK, maybe it's not a secret, but it definitely looks like something out of a fairy tale. 

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The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden.

Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden (2018) | Palmetto Scene | ETV Classics

The small town of Bishopville, SC is home to some traditional vacation stops like museums and parks, but also a few quirkier spots like Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden.

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Pearl Fryar 145 Broad Acres Documentary.

145 Broad Acres Road - Pearl Fryar (2008) | Documentary | ETV Classics

Master Gardener Pearl Fryar observed that when you do something well, it speaks for itself. If what makes a difference in life is the people you made a difference in their lives. After coming to the attention of Jean Grosser, Professor of Art at Coker Collge, Pearl Fryar became Artist in Residence at the college and mentored the students, creating topiary gardens, sculptures, and lasting lessons in the incremental nature of life.

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Rowland Alston and Pearl Fryar grooming a shrub.

Live From the Pearl Fryar Topiary Gardens (2008) | Making It Grow| ETV Classics

We join Rowland Alston and the Making it Grow crew at Pearl Fryar's world famous topiary garden in Bishopville, South Carolina! In this episode, Pearl Fryar gives Rowland a lesson in how to create topiary, and become a topiary artist. Rowland introduces Amanda McNalty and Trish DeHond, from the Clemson Extension Service, and artist and horticulturalist Bobbi Adams. A live audience at the event asks gardening questions of the panel, and afterwards, under Pearl's supervision, Rowland hoists a chain saw and gets to work!

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Your Day. Children showing the sculptures they made for Pearl Fryar.

Your Day: Pearl Fryar | ETV Road Show (2008) | ETV Classics

In this ETV Classic, the ETV Road Show expedition travels to Bishopville, South Carolina where Your Day! visits the topiary garden of Pearl Fryar. Host Bob Schuster talks about the hour-long program, and we listen to guitarist Don Bowen. Rowland Alston host of Making It Grow, introduces Pearl Fryar, Master Topiary Gardener who talks about the gardens, and consideration of success and making a difference. 

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Pearl Fryar - Spotlight - Knowitall.org.

Pearl Fryar | Topiary - A Natural State | Knowitall.org

Is topiary an attempt to control nature or a form of expression using a nature-based medium? The word topiary is derived from the Greek root word, topias, meaning ornamental garden. Watch and learn more as Pearl Fryar talks about topiary and his beautiful gardens.

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Side Notes

Connie Robinette
Connie Robinette
Writer and tape librarian for South Carolina ETV's vault.
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