Fairies Part One

We are coming up on the longest day of the year. The celebration of Midsummer’s Eve was from ancient times linked to the summer solstice, falling this year on June 21. This is a very active time for fairies all over the world. We are preparing the garden to attract the most fairies possible. We are collecting the plants they love and trying to make the Faire Garden as hospitable to them as we are able. Lucky for us, the plants that the fairies love are also plants that the humans here love as well. Like primroses, all primroses. We have been on a mission to collect as many different varieties of this magical plant as possible. Shown above is primula vialii.

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We have posted before about the fairies. You can read about the Fairy Gazebo
here. You can read about Planting For Fairies
here.

The elfin thyme planted in the little pots at the entrance to the fairy gazebo has spread nicely. It may cover the entire pot and cascade over the edges. Hope so. The little piece of shiny glass is something the fairies like also. Having thyme in the garden sends the message that fairies are welcome here. If you lay down in a bed of thyme on midsummer night’s eve, at midnight the fairies may reveal themselves to you, in your dreams.

Inside the gazebo, the moss is soft and cool. We need to do a little housekeeping in preparation for the big celebration coming up. Earlier this spring a large hosta that we had forgotten about showed itself in the middle of the gazebo. That explains why there was an empty space there when a good spot to locate a fairy structure in late winter was being hunted, the dormant hosta had become invisible. Since the structure is held in the ground by the chamaecyparis posts, we had to dig up the giant plant without harming the gazebo. A difficult but not impossible task. There were some epimediums and a columbine that sprouted in there also. The removal of these plants has upset the carpet like look of the moss, but we are working to achieve a smooth seamless bed of spongey green for the fairies’ enjoyment on their big night.
On to the plants that are said to be favored by the wee folk. Ferns are high on that list, for the fronds offer cushy bedding to tired dancing feet. This autumn fern, dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ is looking colorful and fresh. To the left is a seed grown Japanese maple, now three years old and a foot tall, amid a bed of yellow creeping jenny. A baby tree is prized among the fae, like the young of all living things.
There are many uses for the fine filaments of spider spinnings by the little ones. Lassos for catching a ride on sailing butterflies, twine for bundling belongings when going on a long journey, or sailing like Tarzan through the boughs are among the ways this silken thread is put to work.

Not true primroses, but a clear true yellow color, a fairy favorite, this oenothera, cultivar unknown, has flowers that stay open during the day, unlike some evening primroses. The oil extracted from the flowers is said to have great power revered by the fairies. It is an ingredient in many spells.

Calendula, or pot marigold, is said to be a strong love charm used when the wee folk are looking for their soul mates. We offer these two colors, and wish them harmony of the heart.

No fairy garden should be without foxgloves, digitalis. This seed grown specimen of Candy Mountain has flowers that face up or out, rather than down. Little footprints of the fairies are visible inside this one, some are even larger in size, maybe a sliding cha cha cha was done in here. If you follow the footprints like in a learn to dance illustration, you may find yourself doing the very same dance!

White clover, trifolium repens, is a must for anyone wishing to make contact with the fairies. Search for the four leaf stem to be able to get the x ray vision that will penetrate the fairie’s cloak of invisibility.

Columbine, aquilegia ‘Magpie’ resembles an elaborate bonnet to be worn on special occasions for the more fashion forward among the fae. The root of this plant is said to give courage. Wear an amulet with a bit of the root to keep you fearless when meeting the fairies face to face for some of them have a reputation that is less that stellar.

Fog is mentioned as something the fairies take delight in. We are also delighted when the misty moisty morning graces us with liquid air.

When unearthed in the digging of the veggie garden, this rusted truck brought a squeal of joy, perfect as it is for the fairies to get that load of manure for their magical gardens. The style suggests that this is an older model, favored by motor head fairies who appreciate a well built vehicle.

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This is the first in a series of plants and paraphernalia for the pixies among us. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Frances

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