photo credit: tinyfroglet

Creating a Harry Potter theme garden will depend on your growing climate, plants available and a little creativity on your part.

Hagrid, a popular character from the story, had a garden along with a charming cottage. The cottage would be somewhat difficult to copy but a fairie house would be a good replacement and fairie homes have that mystical feel to them.

Pumpkins also grew in Hagrid’s garden. In the current movie Hagrid grows huge orange pumpkins. Any pumpkin would fit in this theme garden including the miniature pumpkins, or the Lumina pumpkins (called ghost pumpkins by some), which are white on the outside and orange on the inside.

Hellebores, which grow in a multitude of colors varieties, grow well in many climates. They are mentioned many times in the Harry Potter series and are used for making potions. The Kingston cardinal is one example of a Hellebore.
photo credit: alice-palace

There are many magical plants mentioned in the Harry Potter movie but they are not real.

But with a little creativity you can substitute actual plants in your own Harry Potter theme garden creation.

For example,

• you could use  Balloon flowers or Chinese lanterns in place of puffapods.
• The money plant has a unique look and would fit into the garden well.
• Flowering cabbage or kale could be used to represent mandrakes.
• Bat plants, Venus flytrap and any evening flower such as a moonflower would add interest to the garden.
• And you will find many herbs would have a look that would fit into this them garden well. Ginger, sage, nettle and wormwood are a few examples.

You will learn more about all the magical plants in the world of Harry Potter by visiting  the plant section of the Harry Potter Lexicon website.

Night lights and garden art would add more interest too as would varying heights in the garden. And any garden seems to benefit from mini pond or rustic fountain.

This is a project your children may really enjoy and lead them to years of gardening. And any theme garden add fun to your garden and backyard

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photo credit: Ramona.Forcella

A faerie house is said to be “a gateway through which our fairy friends enter our gardens.” By creating houses for them, we create a way for the fairies to use to visit our world. And in thanks the fairies will tend the gardens and help them thrive.

There are many types of faerie houses, from a simple style to intricate lavish. They add fun and wonder to a backyard garden area and assembling a faerie house is fun for adults and children alike. This would make a great family project and help interest children in gardening.
photo credit: aussiegall

These adorable glass faerie houses look beautiful setting in any garden. Sometimes small furniture or plants are added to the interior of the house. And to blend the faerie house into your backyard garden area, add a mini garden or fairy chair and the yard will take on an enchanted feeling.

Fairy House : supplies you will need

• 7- square foraged or used windows
• Hot glue
• Hot glue gun
• Paint
• Screws
• Screwdriver 4 Large wood balls (for feet of house)

Collect your free or foraged windows together. The windows will need to be the same size. I pick up windows along curbsides and at garage and auctions. Construction sites may also be able to help you. I also look for windows that show a little wear – peeling paint or a few colors.

Clean the window and frame. I like to scrap off loose paint and lightly add a smudge of color to the frame with a cloth. This will give the frame an older look and more character. Choose a color that will compliment your backyard and flowers.
photo credit: zedzap

The next step in building your faerie house is to create the structure. Start by screwing the four windows together using one screw at the top and one screw at the bottom of each window. This will form a square block. Attach another window to the bottom of the block by using one screw on each of the four sides. Tip: to make the screws easier to get into the frame I use a drill to start a hole.

While box is bottom side up, screw or hot glue the wooden balls to the bottom of the box. This creates legs for the faerie house. (You can also use old legs off furniture or wood blocks.) Turn the box over onto its legs.

Screw or hot glue the last two windows together to form a “V”. If you have hinges I would suggest using two of those on the inside of the frame. I think they are easier to use and make a stronger attachment. Turn the “V” over and hot glue or screw or hot glue the windows to the top of the box to form the roof of the faerie house. If you use hot glue, add a small decorative brace to the roof. It just fortifies the structure of the house.

This will leave you with two openings in the roof to decorate the inside of the fairy house if you wish. Candles, a small potted plant, mini furniture, or even a mini rock garden will add flair to the faerie house.

Add the faerie house to a section of your yard that needs garden art or a focal point. And for more fun add night-lights in the area.

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photo credit: sarcozona

I used a pre-made garden arbor for my Aerial garden. It was only a few dollars at off-season prices and I set it up in minutes. You can also make an outdoor divider quite easily.

Outdoor Aerial Theme  Garden

1. Find or purchase two square posts that measure 2” by 8” and the length that will fit you desired location. You will also want 20 to 25 slates measuring six feet long.
2. Place the posts about 4 feet from each other. Next pour cement around the bottom of the posts to make them secure. Add the wooden slates or thin pieces of wood and attach them horizontally from one end of the post to the other. I like to find old barn board for these projects.
3. Space the slates in such a way that you will be able to hang your aerial garden from the slates. Mixing in hanging plants will give more color, texture and interest into your aerial garden area.

True aerial gardens make use of epiphytic plants, also known as air plants. These plants get there  nutrients from the air and will grow on the bark of a tree or on moss. My favorite of these air plants is the staghorn fern. Orchids and bromeliads are also popular air plants.
photo credit: cliff1066

Take the hook that is on the back of the epiphytic plants and hang it from the slates of your outdoor room divider. Stagger the way you hang the plants and mix in other hanging plants to add creativity and flair to your plant divider. colorful pots will also add to the arrangement.

You have just created a very decorative and unusual garden and created additional privacy in your backyard.

Your Epiphytic Plants can be brought in during the cooler winter months and over-wintered. You may even want to create an indoor aerial garden and mix herbs in with the Epiphytic plants. You will have added color and texture plus fresh herbs.

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As I was out walking the property today I realized it’s the time of year to think about adding berries to your garden area. Berry plants need time to acclimate to their new surrounding and with the economy as strained as it is a Berry garden would be a perfect addition to your backyard garden areas.
photo credit: Caitlinator

Homegrown berries also offer you the opportunity for fresh non-chemical fruit just outside you door. With very little effort you can assemble a Berry Theme Garden that will supply you with fresh fruit and add beauty to your yard.

Berry facts and tips

• Every berry variety likes full sunlight and a well-drained soil
• Do not plant berry plants where tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplant has grown.
• Set out new berry plants as early in the spring as you can. This gives the plants time to adjust to the hot weather and transplant shock.
• Buy disease-free plants and varieties that claim to be disease resistant.
• Keep the plants roots moist before and during planting.
• Give ample space between plants for air circulation
• In the fall cover plants loosely with straw or the like as winter protection.
• Berry plants will thrive better with a south-or east-facing slope.
• Beware of planting berries in a hollow or bottom of a hill or an area that cold will collect.
• Mulch. Berry beds that are mulched will have less disease, retain moisture in the soil and need less weeding and care.

To start a strawberry bed

Dig rotted compost or aged manure into the soil and place the plants eight inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. Make sure the new leaf buds should be at soil level. (This is the biggest mistake people make when planting strawberries: they plant them too deep!) Water the plants in dry weather preferably in the morning and mulch using straw to preserve moisture. This will keep the ripened berries off the ground. Berries that lay on the ground tend to rot.
photo credit: Edgar Zuniga Jr.

How to start a blueberry bed.

Blueberries need generous rainfall and well-drained soil so place  the garden in an area you can easily water.

Dig a trench or holes at least 2 feet deep and 3 feet wide and fill the trench with a mixture of 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts sand, and 1 part garden soil. For a successful blueberry garden its essential to take the time to prepare the soil properly! Space the plants about four feet apart. Mulch the plants heavily at planting time and every year add more straw, peat, or leaves.

How to start Blackberries, Raspberries,  Loganberries, and Boysenberries.

These berry varieties need a moisture-retaining soil and a sunny spot to grow well. Before planting the berry bed, dig in plenty of manure or peat moss and compost. Space the Raspberry, Loganberry, and Boysenberry plants two to four feet apart in rows that are six to eight feet apart. Blackberries need even more space so allow 4 to 6 feet between plants and 6 to 9 feet between rows.

Now that I gave you planting space for the berries, I will admit I do not plant in rows. I plant in circular gardens that have a different ground level for each fruit. The strawberries have their own small-tiered garden area. The blue berries are planted in a mound that is oval in shape and the larger berries that grow tall are grouped by their varieties and placed in the garden area where they will not cast shade on the other berries. These berries are grown or a trellis. The berry garden has a theme look with a bench, a few wandering plants and garden art scattered here and there.

I believe that a trellis makes harvesting easier for taller berry plants, plus I like the look.

I grow about 25 strawberry plants, six blueberry plants and about 30 berry bushes. I produce more than enough for my family.

Berries are a wonderful addition to any garden area. If your garden space is limited many of these plants will grow in containers, hanging baskets or on trellises.

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photo credit: kretyen

Theme gardens are also influenced by their location. Is it a free flowing garden with shrubs and trees? Or a container garden layered in height and influenced by the pots and containers used for the plants? If you have a sprawling yard you may have several gardens or make a maze garden or Labyrinth garden area. For those areas under trees, a shade garden is the perfect solution

Families can also influence these gardens: their needs and time they can spend in a garden area, pets, or heritage. Zen gardens are beautiful and take more time to set up but less time to maintain. A spiral herb garden is beautiful, practical and relaxing. The spiral garden also offers use of the herbs for health, kitchen use or crafting. And don’t forget the family pet by creating a doggie play garden.
photo credit: Allan Ferguson

Apartment and city gardeners may set up a rooftop garden, patio garden or use the windowsills in their home for growing. A Teacup Windowsill garden is whimsical and will provide herbs for cooking and teas. Or create the perfect mini indoor theme garden: the terrarium.

And last but not least is the use on containers and pots for small instant theme gardens. Container gardening lends itself to mini them gardens easily. Containers can also be added to other gardens to change the look instantly.

To change the look of a theme garden quickly add garden art, different garden furniture or rockery work. Theme garden changes can relate to plants only. This is where container plants, hanging baskets, window planters add instant beauty.  Your ideas for theme gardens are limited only by your imagination

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photo credit: cliff1066

I consider myself blessed to have a nice piece of property with rolling hills and streams and creeks. I wanted to do something “green” for the community I live in plus share gardens and ideas with those who wish to stop by, so the idea of a perennial gardens business was born.

There are many steps to take in the business I have planned and I will be adding different gardening aspects to the grounds as time and interest in the project takes off. My gardens will also be organic and will have no use of chemicals or chemical fertilizers.

I have taken the first steps by rounding up a variety of perennial plants and laying out my working gardens. At this time I have two gardens that I am tilling and adding natural compost and nutrients to the garden. This will start the garden soil off rich and healthy.

One garden is in a shape of a boomerang It measures about 35 foot by 20 foot. The other garden, which I am tilling today, is rectangular and will be about 35 foot by 25 foot. This is my retired vegetable garden and has to be tilled under and have compost, leaves and straw added. These will be the working base for my later gardens. During the late fall and spring I will be designing and showing you step by step how the new gardens will be set up.

I hope you join me in this adventure and share ideas and success stories with me. Tomorrow I will show you the rough plots and share a few more ideas on what I hope to accomplish. Happy gardening all! Denise
photo credit: Alyzande

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Here are a few suggestions to make lighting the yard successful, fun and easy.

• Use the minimum amount of light so that you can enjoy the special qualities of nighttime. If you supply too much light you will ruin the enchanting feel that the evening brings to gardens. One of the best ways to create this feeling to try and simulate the light level of a bright, moonlit night.

• Light the pathways in your garden. Even if you don’t have defined paths you probably have a route or two through the yard or gardens that you will want illuminated for safety. Use path lights or create a series of pools of light that lead through the garden.

• It’s best to hide the sources of the lights. It adds to the natural look. If you use any lamps choose a softer non-glaring bulb for a more natural look.

• Garden torches and small hanging lanterns from trees add a welcoming look to yards. I make garden lanterns from small glass jars and older teacups. I hang them or from wire and varying heights or sit them around the yard on rocks or old stumps.

• You can also accent the most dramatic trees in the garden. The lighting emphasizes their natural beauty and adds much light to the yard.

• By planting flowers that reflect the night light and bloom at night you can add more color and fragrance to your yard. Moonlight Theme Gardens are very popular.

As with any garden art or added fixtures, use them with in moderation to to accent your yard and gardens.

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Meditation gardens add a relaxing feel to your yard and are wonderful for parties and watching birds, sunrises and sunsets. Meditation gardens should be set up with relaxing colors and fragrant flowers. A fountain is also a nice touch.
photo credit: erix!

As with any garden I put in, a meditation garden should be easy to maintain. You want to spend you time enjoying the garden not weeding and watering.

When setting up a meditation garden keep these tips in mind.

• Allow paths in your garden to flow freely and follow the natural curves of the landscape. Straight paths encourage energy to flow too quickly. If you have a straight path, allow some plants to grow on the path to slow the movement of energy.
• Surround your property with curved fences or stone wall and avoid the straight line.
• Line the back of your garden with trees or large shrubs. This will provide protection and privacy. Use trees that have rounded leaves to keep the energy flow.
• Plant trees or large bushes on each side of your door for protection.
• Keep balance in your yard by planting vegetation that varies in size.
• add garden art to please the eye and relax the soul 
• Enhance yin, or feminine energy, by installing water features in your yard.
• Brighten the darker areas of the garden by installing solar lights along paths or along the edge of gardens. This also enhances yang, or masculine energy, in the yard.
  photo credit: kafka4prez

There are many styles of meditation gardens. They can be simple, structured or very private. But most important they need to be relaxing and your personality and needs will help to shape the meditation garden you create.

Creating relaxing living spaces in your garden will draw the family into the backyard and be a great place for friends and family to gather. I have always thought my yard is my haven away from work and the world. And I always have a special corner of my garden that is my hideaway and meditation area.

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photo credit: Chester Zoo

First it is important to select flowers that bloom at different times. This allows your garden to stay attractive and pleasing.  It will also continue to provide food for the butterflies.

Butterflies have natural predators so you need to offer them protection. You can do this by choosing some tall plants; this will prevent wind from disturbing the butterflies and offer them a place to hide. Include some flat rocks in your garden for the butterflies to congregate on. I try to have a rock or garden art piece that will hold a little water for the butterflies. Or a birdbath!

You will also need to plan the location of the garden. It should be in a sunny area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If possible there be some trees near to the area. This will provide more shelter for your butterflies. I usually want some small shrubs nearby too for additional protection.
photo credit: miheco

Most important for your butterfly garden, try to have an area that is pesticide free. Butterflies suffer from today’s chemicals.

Here is a list of flowers and shrubs that will attract butterflies to your garden:

Bee balm – favorite for hummingbirds too!
Black-eyed Susan
Daisy
Honeysuckle
Ivy
Lavender
Lilac
Marigold
Marjoram
Meadow sage
Milkweed – some people are not as enthusiastic about this plant but I this it’s fun and adds interest to the garden
Mint
Parsley
Passion vine
Primrose
Thistle
Verbena
Zinnia

Many consider milkweed a weed so some do not like this plant in the garden.  But butterflies love it, particularly the Monarch butterfly. If you are afraid of the seeds scattering and getting in the yard remove the seedpod right before them break open. Or plant it in a pot so you can move it later. I love the milkweed plant. It has a beautiful fragrant blossom and the pod can be used for many crafting projects.
photo credit: Captain-tucker

This garden will also attract hummingbirds which are so much fun to watch in the gardens. They are particularly attracted to the red bee balm which flowers from late June (in my zone 5) to the fall.

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Faerie Chair
photo credit: David Masters

Begin by finding an old wooden chair. Garage sales, auctions and along the roadside on garbage day are good places to search. My last chair was from a curbside and it had such character. It’s time to gather the rest of the materials you will need.

Supplies:

Chicken wire
Staple gun
Wire cutters
Sphagnum moss
Potting soil
Green sheet moss
Curly branches
Special herb plants for the Faeries

Garden lore of the faeries and the flowers they use

Lady’s Mantle
This plant is used because faerie lore says that the Faeries can shower with the dewdrops. (The dewdrops from this perennial keep away wrinkles. This is very important for someone as old as the Faeries.)

Lavender
The clan likes to have parties and lavender infused wine is one of their favorites. (Lore says it promotes pure knowledge!) Lavender plants are where the Faeries drape their clothes to dry and the lavender scent perfumes the air so there is no stress.

Thyme
The Faeries build their homes under the mounds of thyme.

Rosemary
Rosemary is good for the memory! For a unique look use the trailing variety and it will cascade down over the side of the chair.
photo credit: Retromoderns

Boxwood
Boxwood can be clipped into a topiary tree and decorated. It adds a special touch to any Faerie garden. The small leaf boxwood would be the best to use.

Sweet Woodruff
The whirly white blossoms of the sweet woodruff reflect the moonlight adding a deeper dimension to the arrangement.

Woolly Lambs Ear

Now comes the fun part! Putting it all together.

This is a somewhat messy project so it’s best to have a place to work outside. A porch or garage would work nicely.

Cut 2 squares of chicken wire 12 inches wider than the opening of the chair seat. Staple the chicken wire to the sides and form the excess wire into a pouch. Double the staples to insure the pouch is secure and will hold the additional weight of the added plants and soil.

Line the bottom of the chicken wire pouch with wet sphagnum moss until a two-inch base covers the mesh. Fill in the pouch with a good potting soil amended with compost or well-rotted manure. Finish off the planting area by bringing the soil up to the level of the top of the seat.

Gently remove the herb plants from their pots and start planting them in the soil. Remember to keep taller growing plants at the back and the shorter plants to the front. Water well and cover the soil around the plants with the green sheet moss.

The curly branches should be twisted down a leg of the chair. They say faeries will use the branches to climb.

Add a decorative stool or small table and a few teacups and you will have a unique look. Inviting to all; including Faeries.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, creative gardening, Faerie Chair, Fairie garden, Theme Gardens

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