Waverley Caravan – May

Coming through the gap in the hedge from the herbaceous borders to the orchard, I can see the Waverley Caravan looking fine and shiny with its new coat of paint.

Next to the shed is an eye searingly gorgeous Physocarpus aurea
It is now 5 foot tall, grown from a cutting and detracts the attention from the more practical area of the garden next to the shed where we store pots, wheelbarrows and other gardening equipment.

Behind the Physocarpus, the willow hedge I planted from 15 cm slips and repeatedly have to prune to within an inch of its life is valiantly sprouting again. In our damp clay soil, willow sticks just root and grow wherever they’re planted and need no encouragement. Once established it’s an understatement to say they flourish.

Through the willow, I have planted Golden hop, Humulus‘Aureas’, and Clematis ‘Vivian Pennell’ which twine around and look casually pretty. The Clematis is always reliable and has beautiful purple flowers.

Our wild flower meadow which we started last year in front of the caravan has already done very well. We’ve had wild daffodils, violets, cowslips, snowdrops and pale yellow wild primroses. There have also been a couple of Fritillaria meleagris, the snakes-head fritillary, which I hope will establish as time goes on.

A huge, self seeded clump of Inula magnifica is coming up next to the caravan. Quite a surprise. I must admit the soft matte grey-green leaves are rather fetching, and the shaggy retro-looking yellow flowers will look fantastic against the turquoise and mushroom caravan, and provide an impressive scale. Time will tell.

Today I’m sitting on the deck G has made by the caravan door and enjoying the sun on the crocuses. I’m trying to garden for at least three hours every day, fitting it in around work and other commitments. Some days I’ve managed five or even six hours garden work and I’m sleeping like a baby.

All this exercise is much more satisfying for me than gym membership. Each different activity strengthens muscles and joints, and the benefit of gardening is that I am in the fresh air, and achieve something tangible that I can stand back from, have a long look at and appreciate the hard work.
There’s something to show for it.