It is often thought that ‘Little People’ or fairy folk inhabit our gardens. However you do not have to believe in legends or fantasies to have a show stopping miniature display in your own garden.
Miniature gardenscapes can be created almost anywhere - whether you live on acres of land or are limited to a balcony. You might begin by choosing a small protected corner in your garden that lends itself to a little forest setting. Look for a spot where dwarf or miniature plants will look right at home and in scale with their surroundings. Or if you prefer, you can create miniature gardens in a container - a large ceramic bowl, garden trough, or even a bird bath top can be ideal - remember to provide a drainage hole in the bottom.
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Not only does gardening in miniature become a fascinating hobby but it offers collectors of dwarf plants an opportunity to create focus and a setting for their treasures. Railroad Gardening is a wonderful extension of miniature gardens - perfect locations for dwarf or miniature conifers and other smaller plant selections.
Your Tiny Treasure Garden can begin with an English Cottage then build around it. Plants can range from simple tiny-leaved herbs to alpine plants and perennials. Just as you would select trees and shrubs in your home landscape, choose dwarf conifers to achieve the look of trees and shrubs for your tiny garden. A notable upright choice is Spruce, ‘Jean’s Dilly’ with it’s beautiful pyramidal shape. False Cypress Nana, Juniper Loderi with a flaky-bark pine tree look and the mounding shrub-shape of Tsuga ‘Moon Frost’ are other favorite selections.
Compliment this tiny setting with plantings of miniature Japanese Maples, pink Creeping Thyme for a ground cover effect on tiny hillsides. Scotch or Irish Moss can simulate grassy plots and small Heathers and tiny leaf Herbs are important for the English Country look.
Miniature gardening is easy, fun. and only limited by your imagination . It is a wonderful activity for people of all abilities and ages in gardens of any size. Start small and add to it each season. Make it a creative work in progress - an enchanting garden fantasy!
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