Fairy gardens are miniature landscapes featuring diminutive structures, figurines, and living plants. Fans view these tiny, often slightly hidden gardens as a charming way to invite good luck into the home and yard based on centuries-old Celtic lore.
Cultivating one of these petite scenes is an increasingly popular hobby because it lets people be creative and spend time in nature. Plus, fairy gardens are simple to create; there are no strict rules, and they can be tucked indoors or out. Enthusiasts see developing one as a joyful hobby that can be enjoyable solo or along with children, grandparents, and friends.
Location, Location, Location
To add an air of mystery, these little gardens are usually located just out of plain sight, tucked in the corner of a home or outdoor garden, in a hollowed-out tree trunk, or nestled behind a large tree or shrub. Apartment dwellers can enjoy fairy gardens too– they work perfectly in terra cotta pots, window boxes, or layered in large glass bowls on a deck, balcony, or sunny kitchen.
Furnishings
Due to increasing popularity, almost every landscape store and greenhouse sells plenty of ready-made fairy houses and furnishings such as pint-sized birdbaths, tire swings, and benches made from ceramic, glass, or metal.
However, if you enjoy crafting and creating, small, unfinished bird houses, painted whatever color you like, also work perfectly as fairy dwellings. Some enthusiasts sculpt their own structures using clay, and many gardeners use hollow gourds or even dollhouse furniture as wee garden decor.
Flower Power
Because one of the goals of a fairy garden is to create a miniature landscape, most gardeners incorporate live plants into their scenes. Alpine plants are often natural dwarfs and fit in well into a fairy landscape, as does moss for ground covering. Delicate, colorful flowers such a miniature violets, tea roses, thyme, and English bluebells are popular floral choices. Cherry tomato and strawberry plants are fun, edible additions to these petite landscapes.
The best part of growing a fairy garden is that you can let your imagination run loose as you cultivate your very own whimsical corner of the world.
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Originally published June 1, 2017
Starr
Thursday 1st of June 2017
I love Fairy Gardens . The first one I ever saw was in Minneapolis while taking a walk with my daughter. It was decorated for the holidays and twinkled with tiny "fairy" lights. I decided to follow suit and it is so much fun to have my little grandchildren add magical little touches. It's not a once and done project as you can add to it with a tiny plant, something you find at a garden store and of course don't forget the magic "fairy dust". 😉
Julia Arnold
Friday 2nd of June 2017
What a fun story, Starr! I agree-- it doesn't have to be a one-and-done project. I'm looking forward to adding to our over the years :).