A fairy garden is a garden designed to appear as if tiny magical beings inhabit it. They also often include flowers and plants that are rumored to attract the fae and fairy rings for dancing. A fairy garden can be very small and featured in a window box or larger and encompass an entire back yard.

The word fairy is taken from "faunoe o fatuoe" which means “deer companions”. As the name itself implies fairies are tiny, winged creatures of the woods that help nature and its creatures such as deer. Fairies are generally thought to be good fae who bless and protect the land they dwell on; however they are also known to be mischievous and child-like. Fairies are thought to appear solely at night and vanish at sun rise.http://www.efairies.com/fairy_lore.htm#Fhttp://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/landscaping_herbs/109234

This simple step by step guide on how to make a fairy garden will provide you with the necessary information to make your very own fairy haven and an enjoyable beautiful space to boot.

Much like with any garden the first step in making a fairy garden is to plan your garden. You should consider things like:

1. How much work do I want to put into this garden?
2. How much space do I have or want to use?
3. Where do I want to put the garden?
4. How much money do I have to spend on supplies?

All of these things are going to depend on your own personal preference.

Here are a few ideas to get your fairy dust flying.

Consider making your fairy garden also a moon garden. As fairies are nocturnal and do not appear in sunlight. You can learn how to create a moon garden by clicking the words.

A fairy garden does not have to be large or even be your entire garden. You can make your fairy garden a small space within your current garden as well. Apple and Oak trees are commonly thought to be the homes of fairies so below trees in particular is a good location. The bases of trees are also easily made to look like fairy dwellings by adding tiny doors. http://www.efairies.com/fairy_lore.htm#F

You can also consider simply making fairy rings. A traditional fairy ring is a naturally occurring ring of mushrooms that presents either as an actual ring of mushrooms or as dark ring of grass created by the underground growth of mushrooms. Fairy lore states that these rings are a result of fairies dancing in circular patterns on the grass. Some believe they are also gateways to the fairy realm. To make your own fairy ring you can use flowers that fairies enjoy and plant them in a little ring. http://herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/funfacts/ringsfct.htm http://hubpages.com/hub/GardenHowToshttp://www.efairies.com/fairy_lore.htm#F

Most of the plants that are rumored to attract fairies also attract birds, butterflies and bees. Bird feeders and baths are wonderful addition to any fairy garden to help it become full of life in the day-light hours as well. http://www.gardenfairy.com/fairygarden/attract.htm

Part of planning your fairy garden is to choose which flowers and plants you wish to include. This is so important it obtains it’s very own step within the how to create a fairy garden guide.

Here is a list of some plants, trees and flowers that are said to attract fairies or be used by them:

In no particular order.

Trees:

1. Elder
2. Oak
3. Apple
4. Cherry
5. Orange
6. Other Fruit Bearing Trees
7. Hawthorne
8. Ash
9. Blackthorn
10. Holly

Flowers:

1. Heather
2. Pansies
3. Peony
4. Poppies
5. Roses
6. Sunflower
7. Honeysuckle
8. Fernleaf Yarrow
9. Lilac
10. Red Valerian
11. Daisies
12. Cosmos
13. Purple Coneflower
14. Pincushion Scabiosa
15. Heliotrope
16. Snapdragons
17. Blue Columbine
18. Foxglove
19. Tulips
20. Calendula
21. Blue Bells
22. Primrose
23. Forget-me-nots
24. Buttercups
25. Carnation
26. Dandelion
27. Cowslip
28. Iris
29. Hollyhock
30. Lillies
31. Marigold
32. Morning Glory (also disliked by bad fae)
33. Violet

Other Plants and Herbs

1. Thyme
2. Rosemary
3. Lavender
4. Saffron
5. Saint John’s Wart
6. Ferns
7. Mushrooms
8. Ragwort
9. Grasses/Straws
10. Celery Stalks
11. Basil
12. Clover/Shamrocks

Things not to include in a Fairy Garden:

The following is said to repel the fae.

1. Iron
2. Nickle
3. Dill
4. Gorse
5. Mistletoe (Does not repel, but attracts bad fae)
6. Ugly Things (Shiny and pretty things attract fairies and the opposite disgusts them.)

http://www.gardenfairy.com/fairygarden/fairylore.htm http://www.gardenfairy.com/fairygarden/attract.htm http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/landscaping_herbs/109234 http://www.efairies.com/fairy_lore.htm#F http://www.webspawner.com/users/funnyflowerpower/index.html

Finally, once you have a solid plan of your fairy garden all you have to do is plant it. Try to avoid being overly organized. Fairy gardens should appear natural and as “wild” as possible. Once your desired living elements are in place you can start adding fun little tweaks that make the garden appear as if inhabited.

A few ideas to do this:

1. Build a tiny house/houses out of twigs or rocks somewhere within the garden.
2. Include miniature items that would regularly be used by humans such as chairs, tables, etc.
3. If you have a tree within your space place a tiny door or windows in it to make it appear like a house.
4. Consider adding a small pond if your garden is large and place a tiny boat tied off to the shore made from leaves.

Remember to use all natural items when producing fairy garden items. Things only fairies would have on hand.