With Misilla Dela Llana of ‘Learn to Grow’
Intriguing, magical, mystical… and mini! There’s a lot to love about fairy gardens, especially if you’re looking for a kid-friendly summer project. What is a fairy garden? It’s an outdoor landscape designed to evoke the ambiance of a fairytale. Bright blooms, miniature fairy statues, tiny furniture, moss, and gnomes all set the scene. The whimsical garden style may offer winding paths, arches, and trellises covered with enchanting plants and flowers. When it comes to these cheery, childlike gardens, “more is more!”
We recently teamed up with garden guru, author, and mother of four Misilla dela Llana of Learn to Grow to create an enchanting fairy garden featuring Southern Living Plants. A master at DIY projects, it’s no surprise that Misilla was able to design this enchanting space flawlessly by anchoring it with beautiful blooms. “I wanted to create a fairy garden because it’s one of the many ways to get my kids excited and engaged in the garden. Children love little things – the miniature figurines and houses in the garden – but they’re equally enchanted by nature and flowers.”
To establish a sense of scale, Magic Mona Purple Plectranthus “towers” over the fairy garden at around two feet high. Because the Zone 10-11 bloom makes an excellent houseplant, Misilla has it planted in a stone-gray container where it can move indoors when colder temperatures arrive. Hardy succulents and sedum comprise an evergreen ground cover, surrounding miniature fairy houses, and a moss-covered cottage. A pocket-sized white picket fence surrounds a single Scent First® Raspberry Surprise Dianthus cluster, with double pink blooms lasting from summer into fall. Interspersed between houses and the succulents are the explosive blooms of Ever White™ and Ever Amethyst™ Agapanthus, drought-tolerant early bloomers that will continue flowering throughout the season. The finishing touches on Misilla’s fairy garden are tiny rocks in white and blue: white pebbles in mounds to make paths, and blue pebbles to represent water trails.
Want to create your own fairy garden? Here are three top tips from Misilla:
- Stick with a simple color scheme. Misilla’s color palette for this area includes shades of green, purple, pink, and white. This combination plays on the whimsical side while not distracting attention from the “built elements” of the fairy village.
- Invite the kiddos to decorate! Tiny hands are perfect for placing charming fairy dwellings, little furniture, and other finds (maybe even some they uncovered themselves while exploring around the yard!). Ask your little ones to contribute seashells, special rocks, and “wishbone” shaped twigs to the fairy garden. These are the pieces that will give your fairytale garden personality.
- Create a focal point. When approaching Misilla’s fairy garden, attention is directed toward the dianthus surrounded by a miniature white picket fence. The crisp white color of the fence is picked up in the Ever White Agapanthus blooms. Creating a focal point will give you a starting point for planning your garden and make it effortless to continue the design.
An enchanting miniature oasis can be yours this summer with these easy-care plantings, whimsical fairytale finds, and perhaps the helping hands of a “junior landscape architect” or two!
