Select Page

Folks who enjoy plants have discovered the year-round joy that magical fairy gardens can bring. I got started with fairy landscaping when I found a rusty wheelbarrow in someone’s trash, filled it with rich soil, and decorated it with finds from the thrift store and throwbacks from the grandkids’ toy box. It made me happy.

Google “fairy gardens.” The creativity and ingenuity will amaze you. Scads of elaborate miniature wonderlands pop off the page to fire the imagination. To get started, select a low pot, a basket with a liner, a wheelbarrow, wagon, barrel, crate, drawer, birdbath or appropriate terra cotta vessel. Next, select the spot in the garden to place your magical landscaping. Think about surprising garden visitors when they round a bend and view the secret, sylvan splendor.

Then the fun begins. All manner of furnishings, buildings, and landscape features can be purchased in garden supply stores and on line; and shopping for the fairy garden will provide hours of fun during your stay-at-home days. Don’t forget to stock up on gnomes, pixies, fairies, and other characters to give life to the landscape.

When it’s time to put the miniature garden together, the right plants are key. The plants should be small to keep the proportions correct. Look for heat and drought resistant ground covers, plants, grasses, and trailing vines. Wooly thyme or any thyme is quick growing and makes an excellent choice. Ornamental strawberry produces white blossoms and tiny strawberries for colorful interest. Blue Star Creeper grows up to 6” tall and sports a blue flower. Platts Black “Brass Buttons” is a durable choice, and Cranesbill “Dark Eyes” adds to the fun with a sweet, pink flower. Be sure to keep the garden well watered.

Fairy gardening is an attractive pursuit for folks of all ages, especially those who enjoy miniatures. Container size is negotiable–perfect for gardeners with limited space.  Joseph Joubert said, “Imagination is the eye of the soul.” Nurture and soothe that soul during your stay-at-home days by planning a fanciful garden to keep the spirit of the sugar plum fairy alive throughout 2020.

The feature image for this post is from Ted Lare Design+Build: Fairy Garden & Hobbit House Class. Due to COVID-19, Ted Lare Design+Build is offering some great classes on Facebook Live. If you’re interested, check them out here.