Wednesday, April 10, 2013

FAIRY GARDEN IN A CONTAINER

I've always been intrigued by fairy gardens.  I wanted to make one in a container that I could enjoy on my deck.  I also wanted to put it on a stand so that it could be eye-level for my grandson.  It is the first fairy garden I have ever made and I have enjoyed it very much. 

I'll share a few tips with you at the end of this post, but first, let's just go in for a closer look.  There are seven focal features and five different plants in this one container.  The main feature is the bridge which I picked up a garden store.

This little angel was a "pot sitter" that I adhered to a rock with some E-6000.
 The mushroom came with a little stake on the bottom of it.

This rock little is called a moonstone and it actually changes colors depending on the light.  During a sunny day it's color is a robin's egg blue, but at night it changes to an ethereal pale lavender color.


I found this miniature gazing ball at a garden center.  Perfect!

This path is made out of  white aquarium gravel.
The little bronze statue of the boy peeing is actually a souvenir from the Worlds Fair in Brussels, 1935.  I picked it up in an antique store one day years ago.

Just a little orange glazed ball that came off of some long forgotten macrame plant hangar.

A few tips on making a fairy garden:
  • Check with your local greenhouse on plants that will stay small or grow very slowly.  You can also use starts of regular plants as long as you know that you will be re-potting/re-planting them at the end of the season.  Small herbs are ideal as well.
  • Start your fairy garden early in the spring so that you have time to watch it fill in.
  • Choose a container that is wide with straight sides so that you have room for plants to spread and roots to grow straight down.
  • Choose plants with a variety of color,shapes, shades and textures.
  • Using aquarium gravel or pea gravel is another way to add texture to your garden.
  • Keep statuary or focal pieces small and intriguing.  When placing them in the container, keep  in mind that your plants will grow. 
  • Water  very slowly and close to the plants to avoid disturbing gravel or having mud splash onto your focal pieces.  A good mister works even better.  
 I'll leave you with a before and after picture so that you can see how well my fairy garden filled in over the summer.


Linking up to any or all of the fine parties listed at the bottom of this page as well as....

 

60 comments:

  1. What a beautiful fairy garden, Danni.I know my Wynn would love one of these. Maybe I will enlist the help of her grandmother...grandmothers always seem to have the best ideas. ;)

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  2. So sweet! The kids will be fascinated.

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  3. You have outdone yourself again, Danni! I love little fairy gardens - so dainty and cute :-)

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    1. The more I look at this, the more I want to start one ! Think I will do a succulent fairy garden {hard to kill!} as we are approaching Winter :-) Thanks for linking this up at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party, Danni!

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  4. Oh wow. That is so pretty. Grace would love something like this. Thanks for all the tips.

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  5. Never heard of a fairy garden before... but now I need to make one! Yours is very beautiful, thank you for sharing the stages, it's fascinating to see the plants grow!

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  6. That is delightful and looks so real. I just love the small scale things you found - I esp love the aquarium gravel, how perfect!

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  7. I make them as gifts for people that are hard to buy for. Succulents work very well in them because they don't require constant watering and they don't tend to get overgrown quickly. My neighbors give me the moss they dig out of their yards cuz they know I have a use for it. Every trip to the thrift store I peruse the discarded figurines, etc. for pieces that would make good fairy garden props, and look for large, shallow planters as the bases. I absolutely love them, yours is adorable.

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  8. I love this. I want one. I have for years placed bird figurines and shells and pebbles in my containers, but never thought of a fairy garden. I have seen the elaborate ones (usually from England) out in Blogland. What a perfect place for a Frozen Charlotte! Right next to the peeing boy. (I actually cannot believe you put that out in the soil.)

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  9. OMG - that is crazy adorable. I so want one of these but I'm notorious for forgetting to water. Hey, I'm happy when I remember to feed the cat. :) Love it!!

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  10. I am totally in love with this Danni! I definitely want to make one this summer. You've put so many great little touches in this garden... love the peeing boy and the mini gazing ball. Thanks for the great tips!

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  11. How beautiful! I absolutely love it! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  12. Well done, Danni! It's quite charming. I have also wanted to make one - maybe this will be the year thanks to your inspiring post :)

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  13. This is really cute, Danni! I really want to make one this summer.

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  14. so pretty Danni...I am pretty sure my girls would love playing with this...another good thing to plan would be succulents.

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  15. I love fairy gardens and yours is super cute!

    Bliss

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  16. So pretty, I love how you used all the little mementos and how they have meaning. I've been wanting to do a mini garden like this, I'm inspired!!

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  17. This is so perfect. I really like how you focused on the little pieces that make it so special. That little boy from the state fair is charming. I have a big pot that I could do this with. Now I just need to get busy adding those little touches. :)
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

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  18. OMG Danni - how absolutely beautiful! Wow - your fairy garden is amazing! I really would love one, but will have to wait for Mac to be a little older or her toddler fingers will be pulling everything out. This is my ultimate favorite project of yours!!!! Love! Love! Love!!!! And you to hun (love you)

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  19. Wow! That looks amazing! I actually just stumbled on the idea of a fairy garden the other day - of course you would have made a fantastic one last year! I'm definitely going to do this with my girls. I love that you have "Manneken Pis" in your fairy garden. We saw him on our honeymoon... if only I had been psychic and had bought a miniature statue of him to use in my future fairy garden.

    So, yeah, I love it. I'm pinning it right now!

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  20. Danni That is amazing, oh all of my kids would love this idea. when spring comes I may make one with the boys for the little ones.

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  21. It's absolutely magical! It's on my list of projects for this summer (actually, it's still on the list from last summer) and these are really good pointers. I'm pinning so I don't forget any of them.

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  22. Love your vision and creativity I think you have inspired many of us!!
    Love, love fairy gardens!
    Jemma

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  23. I love your potted fairy garden. Great idea to display it outside within your grandson’s view. Thanks for the inspiration. ;o)

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  24. This is my favorite! I know I say that a lot... but today, it is my favorite! My mom would love one of these. A perfect Mothers Day gift! A great project, Danni!

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  25. Love your fairy garden! I have been getting into all of the fairy stuff I'm seeing lately! I'm gonna have to make one for my backyard! Thanks for sharing at The Shady Porch Rock N Share! Blessings, D

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  26. Oh, wow, that is adorable.
    I have had an empty pot sitting around here and couldn't decide what to plant in it and now I know :} Thanks for the inspiration.
    Where in the world did you get the moonstone?
    ColleenB.
    Texas

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    1. Thank you Colleen. I picked up that moonstone (and about 10 more!) at a gift shop in Joplin Missouri. They don't have anymore, but I wish they did!

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  27. Danni, this is such a great project....I love the fairy garden idea! I've got to get a whiskey barrel planter now! ;)

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  28. Super cute fairy garden. I your plant choice too. I wonder if I can do an indoor one this year so it doesn't get snowed on?

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  29. Danni, I don't know how I missed this last week! Maybe it was lack of sleep and a too busy week! I just love this - I really would love to make something like this and thanks for the beautiful inspiration! ~Cindy@littlemisscelebration.com

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  30. Nice job, it is really cute! Thanks Danni for linking up your fairy garden at Sweet Treats & Swanky Stuff! kraiger5@me.com

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  31. Super cute - love the bridge. Thanks for linking up at Monday Funday! Take care, Laura

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  32. I love this. when I was a little girl my neighbor (who I called aunt Julia) had little minatures in amongst her plants she would let me play with them. To this day I have a thing for miniatures hidden among plants (55 years later) I have to make one of these for my granddaughter

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    1. Well thank you Linda! I'm glad it brought you some pleasant memories! I'm looking forward to your first post on your blog! You are a no-reply blogger...did you know you can fix that in your settings?

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  33. So cute. My older daughter would LOVE this! We'll have to see if we can make one too. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. I'm happy to be featuring your fairy garden this week at SHOW IT OFF.

    http://viewfromrivermountain.blogspot.com/2013/04/show-it-off-wednesday-8.html

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  35. Your fairy garden is enchanting. I've bookmarked your post for garden inspiration. I found your blog via Jessia's Show It Off Wednesday @ View from River Mountain. Newest follower on Blog Lovin'. Thanks for sharing.

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  36. This is awesome Danni! And it looks like something out of a magazine! I can't believe I missed this earlier. I had a gnome garden at my old house, but I believe a fairy garden is so much more appealing. Great job!

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  37. Danni this is too cool. I'm always amazed when I see those giant intricate fairy gardens, but so much work! This is the perfect starter garden size. Great tips on starting one too!

    Featuring this at Weekend Wonders tonight :) Hope you can stop by. Have a wonderful evening!

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  38. That is so sweet, I was proud of myself for adding different mosses
    in a jar terrarium ~ this makes You the Martha Stewart of Fairy Gardens!
    Cheryl
    zany-mayd.blogspot.com

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  39. Beautiful Danni! I love it. It's whimsical to me!

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  40. Danni, I love it! You did a fabulous job. Just pinned and tweeted. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. :)
    Have a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs
    Kathy

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  41. My sister recently reminded me that my grandmother used to have a fairy garden in her parlor. It even had a blue mirror for a river. I've been interested on experimenting with making some of these for my flower shop. Thanks for the tips.

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  42. I have never heard of a fairy garden, but it's delightful! It's perfect for a small space, which is what my husband and I have. It is just too precious.


    Here is my pregnancy/baby-related blog!

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  43. Danni this is so creative I love it! Thank you so much for joining me last week for Pretty Things! I hope to see you tomorrow night for another Pretty Things Party :)

    xo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

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  44. Oh, my goodness! I love your fairy garden. I really liked seeing how the plants filled in later on. Everything is so beautiful. We bought a house with a small Koi pond and I've been thinking it would be a great spot for a fairy garden! Could you guess at how much one of these costs to do? I'm visiting from the TwelveOEight link party. Have a great day! ~ Jamie

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  45. Love this so much Danni! All of the elements you added are perfect! Thanks so much for sharing this at Project Inspired! I pinned this to our group Party Pinboard!

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  46. Oh WOW!!!!! Sooo pretty!

    Thanks for partying with me last week! Can't wait to party with you again tomorrow evening at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!

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  47. OK somehow I missed this post. FREAKING FANTASTIC!!! Love it (and btw you're featured on Setting for Four this week - congrats, you deserve it!!)

    Hugs!

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  48. I featured you today Danni here! http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/04/10-indoor-and-outdoor-home-projects.html I also pinned it to my linky party pinboard! Thanks for sharing at Project Inspired Linky Party! Hope you can join the new party starting tonight at 8 pm EST!

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  49. Just lovely- all the little details make it so magical!

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  50. Danni - that is your best craft EVAH............OMG - it's just gorgeous beyond belief!
    I HAVE to make on of these - pinning this for sure - ( that little miniature statue is out of this world )
    XXX

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  51. Such a cute idea. Thanks for sharing at my Tasty Thursdays party. A new party goes live tonight!! Thanks, Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com

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  52. This is adorable Danni!! I am so happy to tell you that this was the most viewed link from last weeks Link It Up Thursday party and will be featured at tonight's party! :) You go girl.:) Thanks for sharing with us!

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  53. Sweet garden.

    How large is the pot and what are the plants you used? They seem so well suited for a fairy garden.

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  54. Thank you! You are a no-reply blogger, so I'll answer you here...
    The container was meant to hold a garden hose. You can find them in plastic at your Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. The plants are a dwarf Arbor Vitae, 2 different sedums, one is dragons blood and I can't remember what the other is called (sorry), a very small ornamental grass and some babies tears.

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