How to create your own fairy garden

Sara Fitzpatrick

SUMMER school holidays are an ideal time to create a magical fairy garden in your yard.

A joyful little space that evolves over time, it provides wonder and creativity for kids as they choose its plants and accessories and dream up stories in the surrounds.

Simone from My Little Fairy Garden online store shares her top tips for designing the ultimate fairy garden Step 1: Choose a theme such as cottage garden, tea party, fishing, rainbow or a certain colour. Will it be an interactive space for the children or simply a decorative statement? Think about what the fairies might like to do when visiting. Step 2: Get creative with your container: the one you choose can play a large part in the story you are telling. It can be as simple as a blue pot for a beach scene or up-cycle and old picnic basket or barbecue for a picnic and playground themed garden. Step 3: Select plants that require the same growing conditions with similar water needs. Create visual interest by using plants of varying height, foliage colour and texture. A ground cover looks sweet underfoot and a larger plant will make a lovely shady spot for the fairies to sit. Remember to leave room for the plants to grow. Step 4: When selecting pieces, start with a key feature such as a home or pond then build out from it adding complementary accessories to tell the story. Often it’s the small details that add the fun and quirkiness to the garden such as a possum on the roof of a fairy home or a cheeky bird sneaking up on a fairy picnic. Top accessories – Solar accessories are a great way to add magic. A fairy house will charge during the day then light up at dusk sparking wonder as to who is inside. Glow pebbles, lanterns and insect picks add to the charm of the garden at night. – Whimsical pieces with bright colours and quirky detailing are fun. Think rainbow bridges, flower benches, mailboxes for fairy notes or even a gypsy caravan for the fairies with wanderlust. – Use landscaping as a way to define spaces in the garden. Add a pebble path or stepping stones winding through the garden to lead to houses or other focal points, and frame a fairy courtyard with a little fence.