Articles on Gardening | Topics: gardening, gardens, garden
by Xandy Tyler
Miniature plants often are nowhere to be found among the larger plants that most people prefer. Many small plants go unnoticed but have their own special characteristics.
Many people are under the impression that miniature gardens are kept inside and under a glass enclosure. But as one can imagine, miniature gardens can be located outside mixed in with our other gardens, in a garden of their own, or in decorative containers. Trees, shrubs, and plants all being among the same components, but they are just at smaller sizes. One would be amazed because sometimes these components can be as small as a child's garden or even as small as dollhouse furniture. Sometimes miniature gardens are referred to as fairy gardens because they can be very captivating and mystical.
The name of these gardens says it all; they are small but appealing and would attract any fairy to make it their own. As mentioned above, some gardeners will use the dollhouse furniture to add some pizzazz to the garden. Some gardens have tiny houses, arbors, swings and working water fountains.
One great benefit to miniature gardening is that this is a real hobby but just on a smaller scale and it does not take up a lot of space. You still get the feeling of gardening with live plants and accessories. With lots of care and planning ahead, your live plants and accessories will make the garden come alive. Being in a limited space, it allows you to be more creative in your design.
Plants in Dollhouses or Room-boxes
When in the planning phase of your miniature garden, you can find small enough plants but there are four major things to consider before putting plants in your dollhouse or room-box: They need plenty of sunlight, a deep container for the roots, good drainage, and the surrounding material needs to be waterproof.
Most dollhouses room-boxes do not provide adequate sunlight needed for real plants.
You can make your own room-box with a removable lid and place lights made for growing plants. You can purchase tiny greenhouses at local nurseries that are made to hold real plants as well as dollhouse furniture.
Live plants need a deep container for their roots so they can grow properly. This can prove difficult in dollhouses where space is limited. In room-boxes, however, you can build a base on top of the box to hold soil to grow your plants. Most of the time these room-boxes are designed for outdoor use.
The materials that are used within your room-box or dollhouse should be waterproof so as to not damage your plants. There is a way to get around using waterproof materials, you can utilize removable pots and only place the plants in the dollhouse or room-box when needed.
When watering real plants, you need to have proper drainage. This is why most people find it difficult to house live plants in such a small area.
Container Gardens
Container gardens can alleviate the issues with live plants, but still give you the miniature garden that you desire. These particular containers are deep enough for the roots and have proper drainage but if you must have little furniture they must be waterproof and be able to withstand the elements. Some ideas to use for your furniture are metal faux-wicker and resin both work really well and will withstand the weathered conditions.
Fairy Gardens
| Quote of the Day |
Thou didst create the night, but I made the lamp.
Thou didst create clay, but I made the cup.
Thou didst create the deserts, mountains and forests,
I produced the orchards, gardens and groves.
It is I who made the glass out of stone,
And it is I who turn a poison into an antidote.
| —Muhammad, Sir Iqbal (1873–1938) |
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Fairy gardening is becoming more and more popular. To make a fairy garden, use your miniature garden basics but just bring it outside. You can add many elements to your fairy garden such as little paths for the "fairies" as well as ponds to view. It can be such a nice surprise if going through your garden and someone finds a tiny fairy garden in the back.
Miniature plants really add to the beautiful view of your Fairy Garden. Here are some ideas:
Bonsai Trees
Japanese Dwarf trees
Lavender
Creeping savory
Rosemary, sage and thyme
Thumbnail perennials
Dwarf lacebark Elm
This is a great hobby to start as you can check with local garden shows to see if a miniature garden is already represented, if not you can represent yours.
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