A home for the fairies

Once upon a time in a faraway land lived colonies of wee folk, often referred to as fairies. Their queen was a woman named Fey. She was a strong leader, and yet loved everyone in her kingdom, using her powers to visit all of them every day to make sure they were OK, for they were tiny and delicate and could be hurt easily.

These mythological creatures lived in castles near meadows and gardens in a fairyland, and although they interacted with humans at times, they were at peace with nature.

Then one day, the fairies lay down for a nap and slept for years and years, until one day they were awakened by some gardeners who wanted to help them rebuild their existence. Now, the fairies were very pleased to hear this, and together the gardeners and the fairies worked, and today live in harmony with one another.

If Nancy Quinn Simon is the queen of the fairy gardens, consider her Perry Township home as their palace.

So what exactly is a fairy garden?

“A fairy garden is anything you want it to be,” she explained. “You can plant them in a container on a balcony, on a patch of land, even in a terrarium. It isn’t the amount of space you have, it is the content.”

Fairy gardens are miniature gardens with added touches that give the appearance of tiny creatures’ residing in the garden. They can be planted in a small, almost secluded location, somewhere visitors can feel they have discovered a magical place in time.

Simon has several fairy gardens, reminiscent of folklore, throughout her yard. Fairy homes are scattered about, and an old chimney is used as a castle for the fairies who live underground. Even the rustic, wooden shed that houses her plant materials and tools reminds one of a fairyland.

“There are a lot of ways you can go with fairy gardening, and all of them are correct,” Simon said. “You can choose herbs and flowers that have meaning to the fairies, such as ferns for fascination, or thyme, which they use for sleeping.”

Some of the plants have meaning and provide uses for fairies. Simon uses some of each for her fairy friends. Also essential to a fairy garden are whimsical things such as a gazing ball so the fairies can watch themselves.

The problem with most adults, Simon said, is that they lack imagination.

“Adults are so focused on the right way to do things,” she said. “They want ‘the list.’ When you talk to kids, they are so past that. Maybe they haven’t come to that yet.

“Children have the freedom of not having a right or wrong way to do things,” continued the retired teacher and member of the Herb Society of America. She also is a member of the Heritage Herb Society and is a master gardener and speaker for Stark and Summit counties. “Fairy gardens should unleash our imagination and creativity, and for some reason, as adults, we need permission to do that.”

Consider it granted, she said.

Simon’s work can be seen in the Canton Garden Center’s Children’s Garden. She also has written a book, “The Paper Doll Book of Flower Faerie Fashions,” based on a clothing line she designed for the fairies in her own gardens.

Although there are numerous books about fairies — most of which Simon has in her collection — her main inspiration for fairy gardening is noted fairy author Cicely Mary Barker.

Fairy gardening is a growing trend.

“I just get out there and play,” said Kathi Jo Lappin of Lake Township.

Living in an old farmhouse, Lappin said she got into fairy gardening about five years ago. She now has a fairy world around her, complete with wings and dresses for the little ones who visit her farm.

“I keep adding new little fairies and houses for them,” she said. “Fairy gardens are magical, they bring magic and good spirits to you.”

MAKE YOUR OWN

Nancy Quinn Simon offers these miniature plant ideas for beginning a fairy garden:

Flower favorites:

chamomile — granted wishes

flax — appreciation

ferns — fascination

heartsease — happy thoughts

lavender — loyalty; luck

lemon verbena — enchantment

roses — love; beauty

rosemary — remembrance

sage — long life

santolina — protection

tarragon — unselfish sharing

thyme — happiness; activity

woodruff — cheerfulness

Fairy usefulness plants:

tansy — buttons

lavender — freshens linens

forget-me-nots — pink and blue baby rattles

thyme — where they sleep

foxglove — hats

sweet pea — baby bonnets