Suburban Fairy Tales by Francis Bonnet

These eye-catching fairy gardens will add whimsy and beauty to your home or yard. What Is a Fairy Garden? A whimsical miniature garden that is said to attract fairies. You can create one outside in your yard, or indoors in a container. We spoke to gardening expert Julie Bawden-Davis to learn more. What are the rules for fairy gardens? “While there are few hard and fast rules for fairy gardens,” Bawden-Davis says, “there are some guidelines that will lead to eye-catching, captivating miniature gardens.” Keep the scale consistent: “When choosing plants for fairy gardens, it’s important to consider scale,” Bawden-Davis says. “Use true miniature plants in your fairy garden, rather than small plants that will end up growing large and disrupting the scene and throwing off the scale.” Less is more: “Be selective in your accessory and plant choice,” says Bawden-Davis. “Avoid putting too much into your fairy garden, because it will look cluttered.” Consider sun requirements: “Make sure that the plants you are using in the fairy garden are either for full-sun or shade,” Bawden-Davis says. “Trying to mix plant types will lead to failure.” Have fun: “Creating and growing fairy gardens is a process and takes some practice,” Bawden-Davis says. “If you make a mistake, you can always rectify it. Since the fairy garden is small, the mistakes tend to be small ones, as well!” What are the basic elements of fairy gardens? The possibilities are endless. “The basic elements of a fairy garden are miniature plants, fairies and their friends [like dogs, cats and ducks] and accessories,” says Bawden-Davis. “Accessories run the gamut, from tiny watering pails to little rakes and hoes to birdbaths, benches, gazebos and gazing globes. “If you’ll be planting the fairy garden in a container, you want one that is large enough for the fairy scene you have planned, and the container should always have drainage holes.” About the Expert Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, blogger, speaker and novelist. She is founder and publisher of HealthyHouseplants.com and author of the book Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden.

These ideas are simply enchanting! 🧚

Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, featuring the celesta’s magical sound, became iconic through The Nutcracker. Initially criticized, its popularity soared via Disney’s Fantasia and Balanchine’s child-focused staging. Now a Christmas staple, its enchanting melody evokes holiday wonder, symbolizing festive joy and timeless tradition. CC BY Polyphonic, How "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" Became a Christmas Classic, YouTube, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEvd8d0OKfA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEvd8d0OKfA</a>

These are some of the most charming fairy-tale towns in the world.