I used to look out of my kitchen window in winter on to a muddy grass patch. I was recovering from a bout of agoraphobia and realised I had to change the view. The garden, 15ft x 10ft, is now in year two. It shimmers like a mirage, rising out of the adjoining small car park.
I blog about how my mental health affects my maintenance and enjoyment of the garden, because I hope to show how therapeutic it can be. The rhythm and creativity involved in making and maintaining a garden have helped me greatly.
The borders are densely planted and although the overall size is small, there is an illusion of space and I manage to get lost in it. The plants seem to ebb and flow, providing a tide of colour and texture, fragrance and shape. I chose tall, large, clump-making plants, such as Monarda ‘Red Squaw’, Echinacea ‘White Swan’, euphorbias and goat’s rue, Galega officinalis.
Mixing and matching gives me much pleasure: catmint (Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’) romps in and around the more stately perennial wallflower, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’; with lady’s mantle, Alchemilla mollis, splashing its citrine-green tones where it can get a foothold.
Recently I added a low, wooden picket fence on the car park side; the other side is backed by a high wall. The fence offers a sense of seclusion and privacy, but it is low enough for me to interact with the encouraging people who use the car park.
Although some plants were expensive, most have come from friends, cottage-door purchases (wonderful irises), the market (Cosmos sonata for the tubs at the back door) and eBay (plug plants of E. ‘Bowles Mauve’, penstemons and echinaceas).
There is something wonderfully healing about being among the plants. I feel as if I can breathe easy. When I’m ill, I sit there – or potter – and begin to feel at peace. The garden has brought me into closer contact with neighbours, friends and family. My increased confidence is leading me out of the house and garden: I’ve taken up painting again.
My favourite spot
There are two seats in this sunny garden: a green wooden bench and a purple Adirondack chair. When I am seated on either of them, I am down among the plants. Probably my favourite plant is Salvia uliginosa, with its height and wonderful blue flowers from late summer into winter.
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