Add a Fairy to the Garden

This small sprite, named Fiona, now lives in my garden in New Hampshire. I didn't start out planning a fairy garden, it just evolved. The yard is wooded with huge pines, maples, and oaks towering over our cottage. They create lots of shade which limits my plant choices.

I noticed that moss grew particularly well in the shade. I searched the woods around and brought in different kinds of moss. There's one kind named wolf moss and another named British soldiers and a lichen called pixie cup.

I added some small ferns to complement the moss and then built a stone wall. It looked charming to me, but seemed to lack a focal point. That's when my thoughts turned to fairies.

I didn't want an all-out fairy garden with a twee little house and too cute little accessories. That seemed better suited for a yard with children to enjoy those things. I fancied a fairy that looked like it belonged in the woods.

The bronze coloring gives the feeling of a well-seasoned statue or a weathered, lichen covered stone figure. I knew the figures were actually resin, making them lightweight and also reasonably priced. It also meant they would resist weathering and wouldn't rust.

I ended up buying one last year and a different one this summer. Now there are two fairies in my garden and I move them about trying out new perches for them. I think next summer I'll get a new one to keep them company.

They do indeed look adorable no matter where I place them. As I stroll mywoodland garden path that rings my yard, I check on the moss and ferns and sometimes move the fairies to new vantage points. I don't always remember where I last put one. It lifts my spirits to suddenly spy Fiona in a new spot.

Companions for Fiona

The fairies come in a variety of poses. It adds a little surprise to your yard to place one of these in different locations.

Place one of the sitting fairy figures on a tree stump, then sprinkle some peanuts about. Before long a chipmunk or squirrel will be perched there too, getting acquainted with the fairy.

I'm glad I bought the Ilana fairy figure last year. Today, I see it isn't available on Amazon. Hopefully, Evergreen Enterprises will make more of them so they will be available in future.

Ilana is a sitting fairy. Her wings are removable and fit into a bracket on her back.

Look around for a suitable place for Ilana to sit in the garden. She balances herself with a hand on each side. Her legs dangle down.

Wouldn't she look great sitting on the side of a small decorative pool? She might be contemplating the goldfish or wishing she could recline on a lily pad and gaze up at the clouds overhead.

Get Ideas for Your Fairy Garden from These Videos

If you want to create a special landscape that's just the right size for Fiona or the other fairies, watch some of these videos for tips. Getting plants the right size is important.

You can look around for a fairy garden workshop at a local garden store or botanical gardens. That gets your child started with fairy gardening or keep it simple and just start gathering stones and moss in your yard to create small scenes for your fairy figures.

The popularity of fairies has grown rapidly over the last 5 years. The result is quite a variety of activities like workshops and demonstrations for making a fairy house or planting a miniature garden. Here's an activity I just spotted in Maine. Maybe your area will have something similar.

"Fairy Camp
Ages 6-10 (5-year-olds by director approval)
Monday, July 18th – Friday, July 22nd 9am – 3pm
Cost: $175

Dance, create and explore the world of fairies. Throughout the week students will learn dances inspired by fairies, create works of fairy art and even build their own fairy home! Please pack a lunch and appropriate dance attire.

To register for this camp click the link below:
http://collective-motion.com/summer-camps
Please register before 7/16!"

I haven't decided which one yet for this year. They all delight me. Should I get Ilana, Miranda or Aura?

At the moment, I'm leaning towards choosing Aura. Ilana and Miranda will have to wait for next summer.