GARDENER BUZZ
Fairy Garden Plants
Okay, get ready to have some fun! There are so many adorable fairy plants that will encourage the little people to hang out and we’ll share some of our favorites.
Here are a few things to remember when figuring out what fairy plants you want:
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Remember to keep in mind how much sun your fairy garden gets.
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If you’re in a region where water is at a premium and conservation is the name of the game, be mindful of what plants you select and the size of your garden. If you decide on a small container garden, you’ll just need a little water, but you will most likely need to water it every day during a hot, dry season. Succulents are always a good bet for dry areas and it would be darling to make a fairy rock garden. Check out our rock garden ideas for more about rock gardens.
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There may be native plants that you could use that are more apt to thrive in your area. Please check out Native Plant resource to see if any appeal to you.
Following are some of our favorite fairy garden plants. At times, finding dwarf garden plants can be difficult. However, many of these you can find in larger nurseries or those that carry unusuals, and there are some online resources as well. A good place to look for them are at herb farms / nurseries. Imagine finding the perfect little plant all ready to tuck into its new earth home. It’s worth the search.
Bleeding Heart
Dwarf / Dicentra eximia
Description:
Long bloom time in the shade, but will adapt to partial if kept moist. Foliage retained throughout the growing season. It doesn’t die to the ground in summer.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Shade / Partial shade
Moist
Zones 3-8
Size:
12”
Source:
Elfin Thyme
'Thymus serpyllum'
Description:
Low creeper. Gray-green foliage forms tightly matted mound. Lavender-pink flowers bloom in early summer and are attractive to bees and butterflies.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Sun / Part sun
Well drained soil
Drought tolerant
Can walk on
Zones 4-8
Size:
1” – 4”
Source:
Basil Aristotle
GreekOcinum basillicum 'Aristotle'
Description:
Drawf bush basil has a true basil taste. Naturally mounded shape and amazing fragrance. Perfect for containers - inside and out.
Growing Conditions:
Annual
Full sun
Well drained soil
Zones 3-9
Size:
12” - Can prune to 6”
Source:
Deer Fern
Blechnum spicant
Description:
Leathery, glossy green fronds. Ladder shaped fronds form a basal rosette. New fronds shoot straight up and form a central grouping.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Shade/Partial Shade
Moist–but once established is drought tolerant
Well drained soil
Zones 5-8
Size:
20”
Source:
Ferns
For Terrariums/ Fairy Gardens
Description:
Ferns vary from tall wispy fronds to smaller rounder frondlets. Lots of variety can be found.
Growing Conditions:
Perennials
Shade / Partial shade Moist – Generally does not tolerate dry soil
Zones 5-8
Size:
Varies
Source:
Hardy Cyclamen
Cyclamen hederifolium
Description:
Blooms in late summer to early fall. The leaves have a unique heart shaped marble appearance and last through the winter months.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial – Bulb
Shade / Partial shade
Zones 5-9
Size:
4” – 6”
Source:
Irish Moss
Sagina subulata
Description:
Mat forming ground cover that is not actually a moss. Blooms late spring to early summer with small white flowers. Stays green in winter, but may die back during extended frosts.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Sun / Partial shade
Well drained soil – does not like wet feet, nor to dry out.
No foot traffic
Zones 3-9
Size:
2” – 4”
Source:
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Description:
Tough perennial even though they look delicate. Nice fragrance. Blooms in spring. NOTE: Lily of the Valley is TOXIC. Use care around pets and children, wear gloves.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Shade
Can spreading and take over areas, so take precautions! May want to grow in a container.
Zones 2-8
Size:
8” – 10”
Source:
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata 'North Hills'
Description:
Covered in blooms in late spring. Sparkling white blossom have cobalt blue colored eye! Reblooms later in summer when sheared after spring's flowering.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Sun
Tolerates poor soil.
Butterflies like this.
Zones 2-9
Size:
4” – 6”
Source:
Rainbow Sedums
Description:
Gorgeous colors that look great in a rock garden or container on a patio.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Sun / Partial Shade
Well drained soil
Drought tolerant
Zones 5-9
Size:
6”
Source:
Creeping Thyme
Thymus Praecox 'Red'
Description:
Mat forming ground cover that is not actually a moss. Blooms late spring to early summer with small white flowers. Stays green in winter, but may die back during extended frosts.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Sun / Partial shade
Well drained soil – does not like wet feet, nor to dry out.
No foot traffic
Zones 3-9
Size:
2” – 4”
Source:
St. Mary’s Broom
Picea pungens 'Blue Spruce'
Description:
Tough perennial even though they look delicate. Nice fragrance. Blooms in spring. NOTE: Lily of the Valley is TOXIC. Use care around pets and children and use gloves when working with them.
Growing Conditions:
Perennial
Shade
Can spreading and take over areas, so take precautions! May want to grow in a container.
Zones 2-8
Size:
8” – 10”
Source:
Silver Falls
Dichondra
Description:
Fabulous trailing habit perfect in container or ground cover.Silvery-green foliage with a stealthy creeping growth habit. Small light-green to silver leaves make a dense and thick mantle in a cascading fashion.
Growing Conditions:
Annual
Full Sun
Drought / Heat Tolerant
Zone 9-11
(otherwise annual)
Size:
2” – 3”
Source:
