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Ask the Gardener
Every spring I begin a pleasant circuit of area nurseries to browse new or interesting plants for my outdoor gardens . The past couple of years , I ’ ve noticed a profusion of plants , plans and accessories for miniature and faerie gardens . Nothing could delight me more ! Historically I ’ ve relied on naturally appearing mushrooms to attract my garden ’ s Faeries , but I am admittedly thrilled to know that I can occupy a quiet hour or two — or even an entire afternoon — building a haven and home to shelter the Faerie folk .
Creating a Faerie garden can be as easy or as involved as your aptitude , budget and patience can accommodate . Numerous local nurseries offer classes in building a Faerie garden , but my recommendation is that you give it a try at home .
By Lynn Gardner 410.227.2847
Few supernatural beings are more child-like ( to our contemporary mind anyway ) than a Faerie , so building a home for one is a great activity to undertake with a young person . Children are filled with dreams and wishes and it is natural for them to believe in Faeries . Encourage them to make the Faerie home inviting , provide them a wide range of accessories to do so , and let them explore and build according to their own imagination . Gemma Love , a ten year old in Annapolis , has built many Faerie gardens and taught Faerie garden classes as charity fundraisers at Whole Foods Market , Wellness House and in her own home . She spends hours working with natural items she collects in her neighborhood and a glue gun , to create all sorts of Faerie garden musthaves . “ My favorite project is to make small items like a bookshelf and books or a bed from cardboard , then to add color with glitter , beads , ribbon and fabric flowers . Sometimes I add paint too . Adults like to think that it ’ s the kids who enjoy making things for Faeries , but in my classes , the parents get as excited and involved as their children ,” she says . In fact , building a faerie home might be a great activity for young-at-heart folks to practice dexterity , acuity and eye-hand coordination .
Don ’ t let a brown thumb or a lack of crafting skills scare you off . You can always replant and redesign your garden . Anyone can put together a Faeries garden that entertains and enchants all who happen by .
GREENBOOK | SUMMER 2017 35