28 Houghton Road, Cambridgeshire: Acer heaven

In June 2013, Julie Pepper arrived at 28 Houghton Road, Cambridgeshire with three vans full of potted Acers, specimen plants and her cat. Soon the garden was transformed from a plain lawn with rough borders and hedges to acer heaven.

An Interior Designer by trade, Julie decorates the garden, with many artefacts hidden and scattered throughout. With something to discover round every corner, join Julie for a wander through her garden.

A closer look…

Julie’s love for acers began with a birthday present from a close friend. The one she was gifted was small, misshapen and in need of some TLC. Over time Julie learned how to look after it, and over the next couple of years, it flourished. There was no stopping her growing passion when she soon realised there were many other colours and sizes to compliment the one she had.

“My heart swells at the very sight of most of them,” Julie comments. “But I must say, my favourite is the one that my daughter bought me when she got her first job and was earning money. She and the acer were very poorly at the same time a few years ago. Both have recovered and are now thriving. So that one brings a lump to my throat.”

“What I have found overwhelmingly rewarding is the response from visitors to the ‘feel’ of the garden; the look on people’s faces as they stroll around and explore; the almost sense of relief to just sit, relax and soak it all up. I have been very moved to watch the beneficial effect of this process, especially when you get to know individual’s health and life situations. Priceless! And well worth all the hard work.”