‘I can build a wall but I haven’t a clue about plants’

Feb 9 2008 by Alison Young, South Wales Echo

YOU grit your teeth and chop into it is Jackie Houston’s explanation of the art of topiary.

This slightly light-hearted but none- the-less sound advice sums up Jackie’s can do attitude to both her life and her garden.

She acquired a sharply steep garden – which would have daunted many – when she moved to a Vale village 15 years ago with her husband Malcolm and their son James.

But instead of throwing up their hands in horror at such a tough site, the couple have transformed it over the years into a series of formal terraces – building stone walls and four patios by hand themselves.

“Give me some bricks and mortar and I’ll build you a wall – but ask me about plants and I don’t have a clue,” laughs Jackie.

“I tend to build the walls and then my husband and I will do the patios together – we’re self taught but as long as we get the levels right things generally work out.

“We have done the garden section by section over the years – we never have a plan and as we’re doing it we’ll decide to put a curve in here and there.

“It is so rewarding to look at a wall or patio that you have built yourself.”

It was through a friend of her son James, who suffers from epilepsy and cerebral palsy, that Jackie was invited to open her garden under the National Garden Scheme – something which she has done for the last two years.

And it was through the NGS that she was featured on BBC TV Open Gardens with Carol Klein.

“They came and filmed us when we were building our latest patio – it was a real race then to get it finished in time for that year’s opening,” said Jackie.

“It’s lovely opening under the yellow book scheme – my son James particularly enjoys it. The proceeds go to charity and we are able to give a percentage from the plant and cake sales to our own nominated charity which is Epilepsy Action.”

The basis of Jackie’s garden is in the shape, colour and form of her hedging and structured planting.

“I think I have about 40 topiary box plants and about 12 topiary bay plants – all in pots.

“We used to have more flowers in the garden but I found them harder to look after.

“Then one year I bought a couple of box plants – started to shape them – liked them and then it grew from there as I bought more each year.

“You don’t have to pay a fortune for big mature plants – you can buy them as small or medium-sized plants and grow and shape them yourself.

“It is easy, and the main thing which you have to remember is if you make a mistake then it will grow back.

“To make a spiral, you simply take a pyramid-shaped plant, twirl some string around it and then chop into, following the line of the string.

“A trim twice a year – once in the spring, once in the autumn, plus a good feed and some water every now and again is all that they need.”

As well as numerous topiary shapes, Jackie’s garden also has a number of interesting mature and young trees such as acers and olive trees.

“The garden is built into a steep hill so the terraces are essential – and we love the patios as they mean there is always somewhere for us to sit and enjoy the sun throughout the day.”