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Fairy gardening is a trend in gardening that is gaining popularity with all age groups.

For centuries the world has been fascinated with the thought that pixies live among us with the power to spread magic and mischief throughout our homes and gardens. While evidence of the existence of fairies is slim, adding a fairy garden to your own garden is an amusing way to participate in this centuries old tradition of trying to please the spirits and gain their favor. The good news is that you do not have to believe in fairies to have a garden brimming with charm and intrigue. You only have to have imagination, creativity, and the desire to have fun!

The basic idea of fairy gardening is gardening in miniature, creating the appearance that tiny pixies have taken up residence in your garden. Creating this type of garden is also a great opportunity to connect with children, by having them be a part of the process. They will find pleasure in planting and caring for these miniature havens brimming with charm and intrigue.

The best place to create a fairy garden is where someone will feel that they have simply “stumbled” upon or discovered a magical location. At first glance, someone might not see the little details that make your flowerbed or herb garden so special. Thus, take advantage of your natural landscape and create your fairy garden near the base of a tree or nestled against a hill, rock outcropping, or stump to protect it from the elements.

3 Steps to a Successful Fairy Garden

Step 1: Planning Your Garden

Before you begin, you should give some thought to the type or theme you would like to build. These gardens can be any size or shape ranging from an expansive flowerbed to a patio flowerpot. Gardens types to consider include woodland, flower, herb, placement near a water feature, or moon garden, since many fairies are nocturnal.

Step 2: Choosing Plants

Most fairy gardens have a combination of flowering plants, herbs, and ornamental grasses. Additionally, they should be eco-friendly, organic, and a great habitat for native wildlife too. In fact, most of the plants that are rumored to attract fairies also attract birds, butterflies and bees. Use small or low growing plants, keeping in mind scale and proportion.

These are just a few of the flowers and plants that can be used in fairy gardens.

Colorful flowers, including fairy rose, coneflowers, coral bells, daisies, poppies, and calendula.

Herbs, such as lavender, oregano, thyme, savory, sage, scented geranium, chives and rosemary

Trees, including apple, holly, ash, hawthorne, elder, and oak

Mosses, ferns, and ornamental grasses

Step 3: Planting and Creating Your Garden

It may be useful to section off an area for your fairy gardens with some type of border, miniature fencing, or rocks. However, try to avoid being overly organized, as fairy gardens should appear natural and as “wild” as possible. Once the desired living elements are in place, consider adding fun additions that make the garden appear as if it is inhabited.

Add a small house that encourages fairies to make their homes in your garden. Craft one out of rocks, twigs, and bark.

Create meandering paths with stones, gravel, or bark that will give it a storybook feel.

Consider adding a small pond in your garden, placing a tiny boat tied off the shore made from bark.

Flat stones are popular additions to garden areas. Myths say that fairies like to sit on them to sun themselves and dry the morning dew from their wings.

Wind chimes are a welcome addition. They add an inviting sound to the area.

Unleash your imagination and fill your garden with magical, tiny details, including furniture, such as beds, tables, and chairs made of natural materials. The possibilities are limitless!

Information about Extension Solutions for Homes and Gardens can be found on the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension website, www.caes.uga.

edu/extension/cherokee ; or contact the Cherokee County Extension Office, 100 North St., Suite G21, Canton, GA, 770-479-0418. The Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program is a volunteer training program offered through county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

As a gardener, there is nothing more exciting than to see a garden design that started on paper develop into a living expression of color, texture and space. It’s incredible to think about the expanse of knowledge we are exercising when gardening: from the arts to the sciences, to research and physical activity. Gardening is truly all inclusive.

As we enter the fall of the year, we often reflect on our garden – what we did right, and what didn’t go so well. For me, August is usually the month that I start to figure out what changes I can make when I can plant again, in September and October. I don’t know of a gardener that doesn’t tweak their work to make it better, more beautiful, more maintenance free, or whatever

the goal. Plants come and go. If we make the right decisions in advance by planning before implementing, our plant selections will thrive longer, and we will enjoy our gardens longer with less frustrations.

This fall we will be offering a Garden Design Series, focusing on specific plant groups and design. We will begin the series on Thursday, Sept. 5, with Basic Garden Design. As with many great gardens, design begins on paper. Thoughts and ideas can be sketched to make the outdoor space flow so the use of the space is enhanced. This basic design class will cover design elements, from conceptual drawings to the finished plan. We will go through the steps of design so you will have the tools you need to create your own garden haven.

At our next class on Thursday, Sept. 12, we will discuss plant selection focusing on shrubs and trees. As with most garden designs, the structure is the most important part, and trees and shrubs become our outdoor structure. We will talk about different plants, what soil, sun and moisture they need, making your choices a bit easier when plugging the plants into your design. We will talk about specific plant’s assets as well as some of the problems that may occur when using specific plant species.

Perennials are the focus on Thursday, Sept. 19. These herbaceous plants become the accents of most gardens, and, although may not be the most important when it comes to structure, they become the plant group we focus on when viewing or living in an outdoor space. You will learn information about specific plants, where they grow, and how to care for them.

We will finish up the series with a class on Specialty Gardens. After use and structure of a garden are determined, we often find niches to fill that require a special touch. Whether it’s a water garden, a courtyard, or any other micro-climate that may be created, sometimes insight on the special needs of a site are necessary.

We will touch on water gardening and container gardening in this class, along with information on wildlife gardening. All the classes will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The fee for each class is $8. You can pick and choose which classes you would like to take or participate in the entire series for a complete overview of ornamental gardening. The classes will be located at the Agricultural and Natural Resource Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg. Pre-registration is required; deadline for registration is Aug. 26. For more information, call Penn State Extension, Adams County, at 717-334-6271 or email Mary Ann Ryan, mar35@psu.edu.

There will be one more Garden Chat this summer: Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trial Gardens at 670 Old Harrisburg Road in Gettysburg. Our Trial Gardens look especially nice this year – we have had enough rain that has encouraged good growth. You are welcome to visit the Trial Garden plots any time during daylight hours. If you want a guided tour, call the Extension office at 717-334-6271 and one can be arranged for you.

Cancellation: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the two programs for children have to be canceled. They were scheduled for Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. We are very sorry to have to cancel these two programs since everyone was looking forward to seeing the children’s garden this year.

Got a gardening question? The Penn State Master Gardener Hotline is open. Talk to a Master Gardener on Mondays and Fridays, April-September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 717-334-6271, or visit us at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, with your sample for diagnosis.

Mary Ann Ryan is the Penn State Master Gardener Coordinator of Adams County. is a Penn State Master Gardener from Adams County. Penn State Cooperative Extension of Adams County is at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 204, Gettysburg, call 717-334-6271.