I had a few of you ask about the miniature tabletop garden on my front porch, so I wanted to share what it is and tell you a little about it. Summer is finally here and the weather has been great, so I’ve been enjoying outdoor projects while I can. I’ll be back inside before long, so I’m making the most of the sunshine.
Earlier this season I visited a charming garden center near my house and discovered the most adorable little fairy gardens arranged in wooden boxes and pots.
I got so excited that I decided on the spot to make one of my own. I texted my daughters to tell them I wanted to create a fairy garden and they assumed I was joking. They thought I was turning into a quirky grandma who adds tiny ceramic animals to potted plants.
Yes. Maybe I am a bit of a crazy old lady now.
I didn’t add any fairies or animals yet, but I did pick up a few miniature garden accessories and several small plants. I was most excited about the plants themselves. I’ve always loved the little creeping plants known as “stepables”—tiny groundcovers that can be planted between stepping stones and tolerate light foot traffic. They’re perfect for miniature gardens and containers.
My old garden (many years ago)
When I designed a patio and planted a small garden about ten years ago in Portland (Eastmoreland), I filled the spaces around stepping stones with creeping plants and moss. Those plants made me surprisingly happy. I’m not a highly skilled gardener; that patio was the first and only garden I designed and planted myself, and I absolutely loved it.
Since moving to my current house, I’ve missed those tiny groundcovers and wanted to use them again, but my yard wasn’t ready. So far here I’ve focused on container gardening instead.
It hadn’t occurred to me until I saw those fairy gardens that creeping plants work wonderfully in planters and crates. This miniature garden was my first attempt and it probably took about five minutes to assemble. I’ll need more practice with layout and plant selection, but I’m excited by all the ways these little plants can be used. I can’t wait to watch them fill in and soften the edges of the container.
I’m now a little addicted to tabletop miniature gardens. I love that this one sits in a crate: it’s portable and easy to move, so it can be a conversation piece on my porch or temporarily set aside when I need the table for something else.
Have you ever used creeping plants and mosses in your pots or gardens?
Also: Five 5-minute miniature gardens and an update to my Fairy Garden.