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Thirty Days in the Garden: Where Fairies May Roam

I read somewhere that fairy gardens are not the same as miniature gardens, but the difference is largely lost on me. When I’ve crafted gardens in miniature in the past, I let my imagination wander.

Fescue yurt and an orange peel umbrella

Do I believe in fairies?

No.

Do I like to imagine fairies stopping in for a visit?

You bet!

Like many hobbies, you can go all out or you can pair down to what feels right for you. I take the latter approach and have fun.

I’ve enjoyed making furniture for the imaginary visitors, and I’m grateful for the lovely miniature furniture gifted from friends over the years. I’ve even bought a few pieces on my own.

A soft mattress woven from lavender
Garden umbrella made from half of an orange peal and a knot of raffia | the mini hammock is a gift

I fashioned a New Zealand-inspired mini garden after a group of blogging friends met there in March of 2018. It was a trip of a lifetime.

Miniature Hobbiton

The Hobbiton facade lasted a couple of years, but the materials eventually gave way to the elements.

A gift from our New Zealand hosts

The refashioned garden is now more of a tribute to New Zealand and a reminder of my dear friend Pauline. I miss her in the real world and I miss her presence in our blogging community. If you’re a regular reader, you’re surely missing Pauline as well.

New Zealand Mini Garden

On a hurried day in the garden earlier this year, I happened upon an unearthed hyacinth bulb. I looked around for a suitable spot and found the miniature New Zealand garden the easiest place for a quick dig. Of course, the bulb took hold, flowered, and is now entering its resting phase. I will find it a proper home, but for now, it towers over New Zealand Mini.

A nasturtium seedling also took root, providing a nifty umbrella for my New Zealand glass sheep, a gift from our hosts. As soon as the San Jose heat descends, the nasturtium will be ready to move on as well.

I purchased two of the miniature plants you see online from a shop called TwoGreenThumbs. It’s hard to find small-scale plants at our local nursery, and nearly impossible now with COVID. It’s nice to support a small business, and fun getting living plants in the mail. Both times I ordered, Janit tucked in a tiny gift. Check out these miniature gardening boots.

Listen,
all creeping things –
the bell of transience.

Issa

Written in loving memory of Pauline, artist, friend, and blogger extraordinaire.

18 thoughts on “Thirty Days in the Garden: Where Fairies May Roam”

  1. So much creativity goes into your fairy gardens, using recycled goodies re-imagined as garden accessories. I have you to thank for this sweet hobby. I laughed at your little lamb peeking out of the plants. I have mine on the roof of a woodland house too. I’ve got a fern climbing out of the garden and up the blind now, it’s a jungle over there, ha! xxooK

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  2. I can often see a fairy garden somewhere nobody has thought of one. Little openings, sweet mosses and such. It’s nice to create a world, isn’t it? Even if ephemeral. Pauline would have liked the serendipity of the bulb!

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  4. Aren’t those boots sweet?! Your miniature gardens are so inspiring Alys and one day I will attempt one. The thought that goes into your little gardens is wonderful and you have really captured the magic of fairies there. Who knows, perhaps one will move in one day and surprise you?!! 😉

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    • The boots are sweet and so realistic, too. They went missing for awhile but I was able to uncover them in the pot.

      Thank you for your kind words. I think you’d enjoy a miniature garden, Cathy, perhaps something in a container near your door. 🙂

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    • Derrick, it was brillant spending time with Pauline in two countries. What an extraordinary time we had. Our group dynamics worked well, which is really saying something when you spend time in close quarters. We all enjoyed each other’s company. I’ve had many phone chats with Pauline since, and we exchanged emails as well. I miss her.

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      • We didn’t have the phone calla, but exchanged cards and gifts. Rather than wait for her birthday, I sent her a book a few months before. She did manage to read it. Pauline was always my first blog reader with her morning coffee. If I was late she got anxious. Jackie and I both miss her.

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  6. What a beautiful post and tribute to Pauline. I know she inspired us all and you inspired my mini fairy garden experiments. I think I believe in fairies. I certainly want to believe in them. 😉 Your little gardens are just so wonderful. I’m going up on the hill and look in the debris of tree trimmings to see what I can find. Thanks for this.

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  7. I love your fairy gardens. They appeal to the little girl in me, the one that used to make gardens in saucers, and hope that the fairies would come. They did too, and even left me letters that I still have somewhere….
    Pauline was such a dear soul, who accepted and encouraged all who came to her. Travelling with her must have been a joyous hoot! She is missed in our blogging world, and in your real world.

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    • Oh Anne! Fairy gardens in a saucer sound delightful. I’m so glad they sent letters, and that you had presence of mind to keep them. If you unearth them, they will make a charming blog post.

      Pauline always made me laugh. She had a terrific sense of humour and a great laugh. We spoke of many serious things, too. Traveling together was great fun. I loved seeing how close she was with her daughters as well. I’m in touch with both of them on a regular basis. They’re lovely women as well. xo

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