All the best gardens bring joy but Debbie and John Simpson’s goes one further. Visitors to their amazing topiary garden at Highfield Cottage, Driffield, wear big grins and the sound of belly laughs and gasps of disbelief echo around the ¾ acre plot.

They have crafted a whole menagerie of box and yew creatures, including elephants, birds, dogs, ducks, a graceful swan and nine foot tall rabbits.

A firm favourite is the jew with a jaw that moves up and down in the wind, as if laughing.

The garden in Driffield is part of the National Open Gardens Scheme

The squirrel is proof that patience is a virtue when clipping. He took 10 years to shape.

The couple are self-taught topiarists and it was John who first discovered he had a talent for it when he began taming the derelict garden that came with the house he bought 30 years ago.

After stripping back the overgrown yew trees, he began training them into shapes “for fun”.

Debbie joined him 25 years ago and together, they have created a magical space that they open to visitors via the National Open Garden Scheme and by appointment, when able. (check the National Garden Scheme website for details as the coronavirus restrictions have impacted on opening this year)

“We may open later this summer but we cannot say for sure yet,” says Debbie.

After being inspired by a trip to Eze in France, she and John decided to add sculptures to their garden but couldn’t find anything the right size at the right price.

“I decided to try and rustle some up,” says Debbie, whose sculptures now grace the garden after she discovered a hidden talent for stone carving.

“My largest piece is the peacock on the urn, which was fashioned from a one ton piece of stone. I am now looking to use lighter mediums to create contemporary pieces and I will then rotate the sculpture to create different atmospheres and pockets of interest,” she says.

The 3/4 acre plot also has a stream running through it

Finding time for stone sculpting in the summer is difficult as she and John spent at least two days a week working on the garden and training their topiary.

*You can read more about the garden at www.ngs.org.uk/highfield-cottage-shaping-up-nicely

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Debbie and John spend at least two days a week on the garden in summer

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Take a look at this amazing topiary garden carved by a Yorkshire couple