My folly

Traditionally defined, a garden folly is a fanciful outbuilding serving primarily as a design feature and foil for plantings. Indeed, folly may also connote an impetuous impulse, reckless whim or wild hair. The purchase of my 1961 ‘Lil Loafer vintage trailer fits the bill on all/both fronts.

Never intended for travel, my little “canned ham” beauty once sat in the back corner of the garden anchoring what I called my “aluminum garden,” filled with silver, green and white, and twilight purple plants. Instilling an expansive sense of destination even on my small city lot, my garden folly travel trailer, tricked out with roadmaps of my favorite destinations, cozy lighting and comfortable benches, extends garden living well beyond the end of our growing season inviting me to linger outdoors just a little longer.

Several years before I purchased the ‘Lil Loafer, my staff at Fremont Gardens and I featured a contemporary teardrop trailer in a display garden at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. (pssst… we took best in show!)

The ‘Lil Loafer has gone to a glamorous life as a pop-up photo booth somewhere in Oregon. Our shelter has taken its place in another part of the garden. Far from being a folly, the tiny 8- by 12-foot open air getaway was a godsend during the pandemic, both a literal shelter from a crazy world and a portal that allowed us to spend time with our loved ones.