Gardening in miniature

A magical world of wonder and joy awaits those who begin to explore the world of miniature, or fairy gardening. One of the most popular garden trends over recent years has been the explosion in miniature gardening, including fairy gardens, dish gardens, terrariums and container gardens.

With a wealth of miniature plants, miniature garden accessories, including everything from lighthouses and cottages to wild animals, picnic settings, fantasy creatures and more, the world of fairy gardening allows you to explore several passions at once.

Miniature gardens can be designed to fit a theme, using a variety of accessories, either purchased or gathered from hikes and trips to the forest and beach.

Miniature gardens have also been created as living memorials to deceased friends, loved ones, parents and children. These precious memorial gardens may include trinkets from that person's life, such as jewelry, seashells, photos and more. What an incredible way to honor a loved one, to memorialize their love and remembrances in a gorgeous miniature garden world.

Gardeners who enjoy the hobby have come to discover some incredible ways to showcase their beauty using both every day items, as well as accessories, furniture, miniature buildings and more purchased from a local garden center or hobby store.

Most garden centers also feature a nice selection of garden plants, perfectly suited for miniature worlds. Tiny tropicals, succulents, mosses, miniature conifers, tiny herbs, and many more plants are perfectly suited for miniature gardens. Be sure to check the hardiness zone for these plants if growing outdoors.

There is even an entire collection of miniature hostas that grow no more than 4 to 6 inches across and are perfect for showcasing in miniature gardens of all types.

Putting it all together is the joy of miniature gardening. Arranging plants, collected or purchased materials, colorful glass, pea gravel, moss and more to create a beautiful landscape in miniature allows your creative side to bloom.

Miniature gardening is also a great way to get children involved in gardening for a lifetime. With such a wide variety of themed fairy and miniature garden items available, children will have no problem finding something they enjoy.

There are miniature garden themes, items and kits available for girls and boys of all ages. Miniature gardens can be set up with a zoo theme, for example, a prehistoric dinosaur theme, a flower garden theme,a hobbit theme, a cabin in the woods, a desert theme and so much more.

The possibilities are endless and the enjoyment this hobby provides will last a lifetime.

Find Rob Zimmer online at www.robzimmeroutdoors.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobZimmerOutdoors.