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About the Different Kinds of Miniature Gardens
The term “miniature garden” is often used to describe any kind of gardening small. But, it’s just not an accurate term to describe these other ways to garden. Here are the differences and you can see how a lot of the terms overlap with each other:
Trough Garden – A group of slow-growing, small-leafed plants grown in a “trough” like container or a shallow hypertufa pot.
Terrarium – A closed or partially closed glass container that creates a self-contained ecosystem. ‘Wet terrariums’ require moisture-loving plants. ‘Dry terrariums’ are made with succulents or cacti, for example. Open terrariums are sometimes called dish gardens, depending upon how shallow it is.
Alpine Garden – Alpine plants are/were found at high altitudes and naturally grow small. An alpine garden is a collection of alpine plants in a shallow container, or a specific group of plants in a garden bed. Can also be called a trough garden because it’s traditionally planted in a shallow, hypertufa container.
Bonsai – The focus is on cultivating the perfect miniature tree. Seldom is that tree a part of a garden setting, or has companion plantings. (The art of Penjing is much closer to true miniature gardening than bonsai.)
Succulent Dish Garden – or just “dish gardening” – A selection of plants in a small dish or cup that doesn’t have any drainage holes. Succulents are great for this type of pot because they take mimimal watering.
Wardian Case – A type of terrarium-like case or protective container that houses a series of small potted plants. The glass cases usually mimick a miniature greenhouse.
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Where Can You Grow a Miniature Garden?
About Fairy Gardening
The term “miniature fairy gardens” has become quite popular in recent years but it’s not quite accurate. The hobbies of “miniature gardening” and “fairy gardening” are separate and different – besides the fact that fairies are already miniature so calling them “miniature fairies” is just redundantly redundant. :o)
What is the Difference Between
Miniature Gardening & Fairy Gardening?
It’s the focus.
Miniature gardening focuses on the garden. Choosing trees and plants that are in scale and stay in scale, combined with in-scale patios and miniature furniture, to create a true replica of a real garden in miniature.
Fairy gardening is focused on the fairies. With the recent trend, the garden part of the hobby took a backseat to the fairies and the focus was on the fairy’s comfort, lifestyle and security through all kinds of houses and accessories. Unfortunately, the garden aspect has been ignored, frightfully so – the fairies still need the trees and plants, it’s where they live.
Give your fairies a garden that is just as magical as they are! It’s the plants and the garden that does the enchanting, not a house or a bicycle…
A true garden in miniature will not only attract a fairy or two, it’ll delight and surprise any humans that see it! Then, just wait for the giggles…
Miniature Gardening for Fairies
If you’re building a little world for your fairies and don’t necessarily need it to look perfectly realistic, you can certainly do what every fits your fancy.
BUT the latest trend of just putting fairy accessories in a pot full of soil with one, or no plants! – will simply not have the charm and enchantment that you’re looking for.
Adding more accessories and houses to your scene won’t add any magic. In fact, a cluttered pot full of fairy houses and accessories will only invite young children in. It’s the garden-part that draws most people into the scene.
It’s really the “other worldliness” of the flora, where fairies would actually dwell, that will create the fairy magic that you are looking for.
If you do choose to include a house or structure in your scene, here’s how to do it well:
Want to Go Deeper on Buildings & Structures?
Houses, cottages, barns and sheds are some of our most-requested pieces — and some of the trickiest to get right. If you’re wondering how to size a building for your garden, or how it’ll hold up outdoors, we’ve got you covered:
Working with Mini and Fairy Houses in the Miniature Garden on the Mini Garden Guru blog — everything you need to know about incorporating structures into a living scene.
Dig in deeper with our Miniature Garden Society! Learn how to grow a real miniature garden for your fairies – in ground or in a conatiner.
^LEARNING MADE EASY!! Our Miniature Garden Kits from TwoGreenThumbs.com are the PERFECT way to get started in this new hobby! Make ONE kit, you’ll know how to build any size of miniature garden! Comes with our own Mini Patio Mix Kit too. Fun AND easy!
