While gardening can be quite an art form, there are plenty of people who can’t really have a garden of their own, possibly due to living in the city. There are some people who really don’t like to do all the hard yard work such as digging, planting, and weeding. And there are some who may not be able to grow a garden due to some health issue or simply can’t deal with the changing seasonal weather. Fortunately, there’s a growing trend in the realm of miniature gardening in which you build a garden landscape in the confines of a container or limited space of dirt consisting miniature structures and real plants. Since many tend to be in containers, you can tend to them year round but have a rather slow growth rate. Still, they can last up to 8 years without needing too much care besides watering the plants, of course. So for those who love gardening but hate gardening maintenance, this might be the kind of gardening for you which requires no backbreaking digging, no weeding, no garden pests, no chemical fertilizers or pest controls, and no need to clean out the dead foliage every spring. Now that’s the good news. Also, you can put your miniature garden in just about anything and take it indoors if the weather gets cold. The bad news, well, it can become a very expensive hobby once you add some of the accessories involved. Nevertheless, despite it being a seemingly recent trend, miniature gardening originated with the bonsai dish garden from Japan (which is actually no surprise to me since the bonsai gardens totally make sense. I mean we’ve all know that the bonsai is a Japanese tree). And it was at the Japanese Pavilion at the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair where they debuted in the United States in which these garden creations were featured in an article by The New York Times. Nevertheless, these little gardens immediately became popular in a lot of places this art form has been passed from one generation to the next as well as seen as an activity for families to do together. Still, it’s very much a subculture of its own with places you can buy plants and accessories as well as its own competitions (there’s at least one in the Boston Flower and Garden Show). Oh, and at some colleges, you can even take a class or workshop in it, too. Still, if you’re one of the creative green thumbs desperate for an outlet to express yourself, the this is for you. In this post, you’ll see a treasure trove of the small garden world filled with the green glory enchantment with none of the heavy yard work. So for your reading pleasure here is a treasure trove of specimens depicting the tiny life of miniature garden landscapes.
1. Flowers are in bloom in the tiny garden village, possibly in the spring.
Reminds you of the beautiful stone villages you see in fairy tales. Of course, this is a more large scale venture by some person who’s certainly not poor. Still, I wonder how you can get those very tiny flowers.
2. Here is a flower pot garden with two fawns in a forest clearing during the spring.
Now for those on a budget, this is a more financially manageable scene. Still, let’s hope those fawns have someone to look after them. Because you know what happened to Bambi’s mom.
3. Of course, you don’t always have to put a lot of plants in your garden patio.
Now the top layer consists of much which most people usually don’t put in their patio areas. But this is a rather idyllic scene on the birdbath. And it doesn’t use a lot of accessories in the process.
4. Seems like the fairies have hung their clothes out to dry.
And they seem to wash their clothes with pre-20th century washing technology. Seems like these fairies have never heard of a washer or dryer in any way, shape, or form. Still, if they want their clothes cleaned, shouldn’t they just use magic?
5. Not all miniature gardens need accessories. This one goes for a more naturalistic approach.
Now this is a lovely miniature garden that’s set up like a forest. But though there’s not much undergrowth under the bonsais, I’m sure the rocks give it a more realistic touch.
6. Now this miniature garden is very pretty when it lights up at night.
Now this garden really brings emphasis to the flowers which are simply beautiful. Man, I wonder how these light bulbs can be so small. Really gives you a lovely night impression, does it?
7. Is that bridge over a stream of water or gravel?
It’s not uncommon for garden miniatures to contain waterways made from gravel than actual water. Just because real water doesn’t really conform to aesthetics and would be absorbed by the plants.
8. When it comes to miniature gardens, a broken flower pot will do just as good as any.
While broken flower pots may not be used for regular plant, you can plant a miniature garden in one just fine, especially if you want it to include elevation like a garden path up to a house.
9. In a small garden plot, a reasonable space can be whole miniature garden village.
Now I’m sure this garden is in a warmer place since it probably wouldn’t last a winter where I live. Still, it’s very elaborate and beautiful with rows of grass, bushes, and gravel paths.
10. Now this rock garden has a lovely stonework path.
Now this really gives you an impression with the bench, birdhouse, and small water hole. Whether it’s supposed to be somebody’s yard or a public park, you can never be exactly sure.
11. Now this beautiful miniature garden seems like it’s taken from a mansion or some large fairy tale palace grounds.
Now I just have to love the beautiful waterfall on this, even if the water isn’t real. Still, I wish some of the dirt patches can have some greenery on it. But still, these gardens can get pretty elaborate if I do say so myself.
12. A garden like this can be any fairy’s dream, if one decides to adopt a more suburban lifestyle.
Now sometimes these are also called, “fairy gardens.” Not sure why because a lot of miniature gardens come in a variety of different types. So I used an all encompassing term.
13. While some miniature gardens are seen as hangouts for fairies, this one clearly seems to go to the birds.
Now I’m sure this isn’t for real birds since the birdhouses are so small. For places for birds to call home, see a previous post I have called “This Old Birdhouse.” Do it now.
14. A little patch like this is a miniature version of what every gardener needs.
Now this is a lovely miniature garden with a shed, place for seedlings, and even a scarecrow. Yet, you can tell which side is for flowers and which is for vegetables.
15. If it wasn’t for a container, I would’ve sworn this was a real place.
As I’ve said miniature garden designs can get very elaborate and this is no exception. Still, you would more likely see this as your next door neighbor’s place than a fairy though.
16. A faux water miniature garden like this is a fairy’s paradise.
Now I really like the flowers on this. And while the water may consist of a bunch of blue gravel, at least it looks better than white.
17. While an algae pond may be disgusting in real life, it’s not always the case in a mini garden.
Now in a real garden, such a scene would pretty much look like shit at certain times of the year. But in this scene, it’s quite beautiful and you don’t have to do a ton of maintenance.
18. A rusty wheelbarrow makes the perfect place for a miniature garden of a log cabin settlement.
Of course, this place has a lot of plants as well as some farm animals. Still, as a whole it looks wonderful. See I said that you can use any container for a miniature garden. Even a wheelbarrow.
19. Have your miniature garden near a tree? Put some windows and a door to pass it as a fairy house.
Other than the accessories, I’m sure this fairy garden didn’t cost much. Then again, I’m not sure if the moss was already there. Probably not.
20. Other than the path and the bridge, almost everything seems to be made from sticks here.
Now this was made from 2 flower pots with one on top of the other. Reminds me of some tropical paradise despite that this fairy seems to have his or her own vegetable garden.
21. A rustic wooden wagon makes an excellent planter.
Also, if your miniature garden is in a wagon, it’s easier to transport and you don’t have to worry about potentially dumping it, unlike a wheelbarrow. Still, it’s quite beautiful and an ideal fairy mecca as I see it.
22. A wooden bucket might not be good for much, but you miniature garden will thrive in it.
Seems like this is a little housing block we have here and a lovely one at that. Also seems like there’s a satyr underneath that toadstool.
23. Only in miniature can a castle garden stand in your back yard. Or front.
I don’t know about you, but if Albus Dumbledore had a vacation home in Florida, I think it would look exactly like that. Don’t know why he’d have one or what he’d do there. Still, it’s very pretty nevertheless.
24. In real life you’d swear this scene was of an abandoned place gone to shit. As a miniature garden, it’s a work of art.
For a person, a place like this life size would be one people would want to avoid at all costs (save maybe for a few idiot teenagers in slasher movies, particularly if they’re black guys {since they’re usually killed first}). For a fairy garden, it’s a beautiful nature scene.
25. You can always find beauty near the beach so why not integrate it with your miniature garden?
You can create all kinds of scenes with these mini gardens. Still, I’m not sure if those are real beach plants, but they go with the garden very well. Also love how the stones are used for ocean.
26. For Christmas, you can put your miniature garden in the festive spirit.
Yes, they have Christmas decorations for mini gardens. They have decor for other holidays, too. Well, you can keep these kinds of gardens all year round. There’s no weather to stop you.
27. Now this is a flower garden with its own fountain and fence all covered in ivy.
I’m sure that this comes from some decrepit estate or pleasure garden. But I think it’s quite beautiful to say the least.
28. Seems like the fairies are real soccer fans in these parts.
And they seem to really like to party from what I see on the patio. Also, that’s a very full bonsai tree. Really like the flags, too. And the dog.
29. On this miniature garden, everything seems covered with green.
Now this seems like a fairy hideaway you might see in Florida from my perspective. Yet, most of the “grass” you see is moss. But I think it’s quite lovely.
30. In a miniature garden, you can only get to the shrine when you climb the steps.
From a unbroken flower pot, this mountainside shrine would’ve been almost impossible. Though I know it would be almost impractical, it would’ve been nice to have a waterfall there.
31. You can make a miniature garden in almost anything, even a chair.
Seems that a lot of fairies tend to reside in this beautiful chair garden. The flowers are simply breathtaking in this.
32. Now this village is quite an idyllic miniature world, even if all the foliage seems overgrown.
This little corner has a church, a birdhouse, a wheelbarrow, and a happy little tire swing. Also, has a few little figures, too.
33. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you a mini garden of Stonehenge.
Now I couldn’t pass this one up since Stonehenge is a very significant monument, especially in England. And no, I’m sure it wasn’t built by aliens. Sorry, History Channel.
34. As far as accessories go, they can be as small as you want them to be.
Now I really like the landscaping on this one. Seems like they planted everything on a carpet of grass and then added little structures and fairies on it.
35. As for furniture, you can always try wooden chairs of twig.
Now I like this kind of patio furniture. Quite rustic, I daresay. But I think the garden stuff and beehive is adorable.
36. A gardener’s work is never done. However, sometimes the watering can is up at the stick gate.
Lovely to see how this seems to be the beginnings a of a beautiful mini cabbage patch. Love the little wheelbarrow, birdhouse, and bird bath though.
37. When it comes to a mini wild flower garden, then you can let it be as overgrown as you please.
The flowers are simply beautiful on this one and I’m sure the grass isn’t just moss. Still, I really like the multicolored toadstools, even though they’re not real.
38. Inside this stone birdbath lies a miniature garden containing a smaller and more ornate bird bath.
Now this birdbath seems to have a little bird on its ledge while it’s surrounded by ivy. Still, at least the bird bath mini garden looks better than what’s inside an actual bird bath (which is disgusting).
39. Now this miniature garden has a pond, a bench, and a few nice pieces of shrubbery.
Now they may be little but these plants almost resemble real bushes for some reason. I also like the stonework on the patios. Fine landscaping here.
40. Just because we don’t use metal wash tubs for washing clothes, doesn’t mean you can’t build a garden in it.
Now I like the moss roof on that house along with the moss landscaping. Oh, and the hedgehog is quite cute, too. Seems like ideal fairy abode.
41. Among the tall grass and the plants, you can sometimes find a way to kick back and relax near the seashore.
Now this is a lovely seashore scene. Love the stone work on the path, the bike, and the ocean stones. Simply devine, it sure is.
42. Even in the white sand banks and shrines, the fairies will find a home wherever plants grow.
Now the river is a beautiful blue while the rainbow stones lead up to some zen garden like shrine. The bird seems filled, too.
43. When it comes to miniature gardens, you can’t go wrong with a waterfall. Even if there’s no actual water coming from it.
Now this almost looks like a real waterfall coming from the rock. Like the little house nearby, too by the way.
44. In a miniature garden like this, everything is always in its proper place.
Now this garden really seems like a wide field mostly consisting of vegetables. But there’s also a shed and greenhouse along with a little shed. Man, such an extensive collection of plants here.
45. Whether in a mini garden or in the front yard, there’s no place like home to a gnome.
Love how there are plants growing from out of the areas of the broken flower pot. Also, I think this gnome has very good taste in architecture.
46. A lovely pavilion will give any fairy some much needed shade.
Love the pig flying which I think is kind of funny. But I especially love the metal pavilion even if it doesn’t provide much shade.
47. In a miniature garden, the plants can just go about anywhere.
The little potted plants are so cute in this little pot. Love the bird hanging from the arch way, too. Seems that this one has plants all over the place.
48. In fairy gardens, you can’t go wrong with too many flowers.
I really love the flowers in this, especially since a lot of them are purple. Nice t o have some substitute for trees, too.
49. Even fairies tend to enjoy the game of baseball in their neck of the woods.
I don’t know about you, but a field in this shape wouldn’t be used for baseball games. But fairies have wings so it’s all good.
50. In this tree stump, you will find a beautiful miniature garden with everything fairies would want.
Strange how stumps tend to be taken out of their respective places whenever a tree gets cut down. Little did they know that you can make a little mini garden like this. I mean look at all the pretty flowers.
51. In mini gardens, there’s nothing that brings in the country spirit such as being down on the farm.
Now I’m sure it may not grow actual crops because farming is a bit more complicated. But it’s nevertheless adorable and less laden with pesticides.
52. Not all miniature gardens have to be forest oriented. This one creates a desert paradise in a flower pot.
Of course, this uses a lot of desert plants so whether this is a desert garden is any guess. But I’m not sure if I’d lay a finger on it because the plants mostly consist of cacti.
53. In a flower and garden shop, a large fairy garden is a great marketing strategy.
Of course, this mini garden should make it clear to everyone that it can become an expensive hobby. Still, love the flowers and stream in this.
54. If it weren’t for the pot, you would’ve thought this was an actual rocky landscape with a small pond.
Now I’m sure this set up didn’t really costs much, especially with the rocks which you can find anywhere. But it does seem like a piece of nature, does it?
55. A church in a garden like this has its own garden of Eden.
I’m sure any Christian fairies will certainly worship in that church. Love the flowers on this and how they tower the church and steeple. Kind of reminds you of Hawaii.
56. A desert gnome knows only peace and solace in his trailer home.
And it even has one of those tacky flamingo lawn ornaments. Then again, the gnome may just be an ornament, too. But I do love the desert scenery.
57. In mini gardens a plant would look just as fine in dirt as surrounded by sand.
Like how the sand seems so evenly raked like I’d never see at a golf course. Like the little plants in it, too.
58. Of course, what mini garden would be without its own water mill?
Funny how grass can grow so high even thought this tray is about as thick as some flat table displays. Guess mini garden plants tend to have very tiny roots.
59. Of course, if you live near a river, you’ll always have to have a canoe.
Now with the forest background, it almost looks like a house near a river. Well, if you take out the wooden box. Still, adorable.
60. When your kids grow up, they may not need their rusty red wagon. So use it to plant your miniature garden paradise.
Now this garden has so much going for it. I mean it has birdhouses, a wooden house, and glass toadstools. Oh, and the flowers are so beautiful, too.
61. What makes a better seaside garden than one of a desert coast?
Didn’t think you’d see cacti on the beach would you? By the way, I’m sure the seashells were real. Like the sand castle though.
62. With the right furniture and creativity, you can create a little miniature patio for your mini garden.
I’m sure this is set in somebody’s yard since the porch seems to have some colored stones encased in concrete. But I love how everything seems to go together here.
63. Though many miniature gardens tend to have tiny flowers, this doesn’t always have to be the case.
Now this garden contains a lot of flowers you’d see in any regular garden during the summer. Yet, it’s considered as such because of the two little lawn chairs and that it’s in a pot.
64. Now this desert seems as if it’s in an almost natural state in its own flower pot.
Seems to have a lot of cacti for a desert. But I’m sure you’ll never get a desert sunset with this one. Still, it’s quite beautiful to say the least.
65. Nothing would make the rich fairy an envy of everyone than a little mini garden mansion.
Kind of reminds me of a fairy garden murder mystery mansion. Really wouldn’t want to get inside. But I really like the landscaping on this.
66. Miniature gardens usually tend to be easy to carry, especially if they were created from a suitcase.
You might not want to take this to an airport. I mean the TSA wouldn’t take many precautions upon inspection. But it’s a cute little world you can carry around.
67. While many miniature gardens usually contain flowers, this one specializes in vegetables.
Okay, they may not be real veggies. Nor are they edible by any means. But still, it’s a pretty cute scene nevertheless. Hope it has a container though.
68. Under the ivy covered canopy, you will find a fairy park where they frolic.
Now I think this is put on some garden bench since I can see legs below the planter. Nevertheless, it’s quite pretty and I like the ivy on this.
69. Nothing makes a rustic patio look idyllic than wooden furniture, especially in fairy gardens.
Now the furniture really goes well with the path and the bonsai. Of course, the vines are painted by the way. But I’m not sure if it makes any difference.
70. Any Tolkein fan would find a miniature garden of Bag End would be almost a dream come true.
I’m sure that a die hard Middle Earth fan had too much time on their hands. Still, I’m sure this miniature Bag End is tended by no other than a miniature Samwise Gamgee.
71. For Christmas, celebrate the birth of Christ with this miniature garden nativity scene.
Of course, the figures were probably taken from an actual nativity set. But these gardens can stay indoors and last all year long. So you might as well put a nativity scene in there.
72. This wooden church seems to have its gates near the rocky shore.
Now this seems like a lovely atmosphere to have a church, especially a wooden one. Love the little gate near the shore. Probably based on some rocky New England coastline.
73. Nothing makes the ideal fairy town more than having it at the base of a tree.
Now I’m sure the fairies will get plenty of shade under that tree. Yet, even this sturdy tree couldn’t completely shield them from the elements of nature.
74. A little house always tends to be shadowed by large trees, even in mini gardens like this one.
Now this is from a broken flower pot in which the plants inside surrounding the house represent towering conifer trees. Hope the rock doesn’t do anything though.
75. If you want a garden easy to carry, then perhaps you should plant it in a basket.
Love the little swing on the basket handle as well as the flowers. Still, you have to like the wooden twig and branch chair, too.
76. You can create a whole world of nature from a very large teacup.
This bonsai really goes well with the small lupin plants if I stand corrected. Still, I think the little bench and coffee table is simply charming.
77. Even in a small gravel garden, it’s best to put a birdbath as a centerpiece.
Let’s hope the little birdies wanting to wash up don’t shit in this birdbath. Like the bench and sundial though.
78. Sometimes you can put patio furniture in a miniature garden you can only wish to put in your regular patch.
Now this patio furniture seems too finely painted for anyone to want to have in your outdoor patio. I mean there’s a chance that rain might wash out the lovely craftsmanship. Still, this is a quite beautiful garden in these flower pots.
79. A few statues in a garden can really enhance it beauty in many ways.
Now this one gives the impression that ruins are in the midst. Love how the bonsai really brings in the vibrancy of this. Not to mention, some of the plants, too.
80. In a garden shop like this, you might as well have a large mini garden village.
Now I’m sure this isn’t the whole mini garden as some of it is cut from the photo. But you can see how elaborate these mini gardens can really get.
The Lone Girl in a Crowd 
These tiny gardens are beautiful! People are so creative!
This is very creative and exceptionally neat. Great idea.
Tooooo… Goooood Hats off
Hi, Thanks for posting a photo of my garden (#6). If anyone is interested in creating a similar garden with lights, please see here: https://littletudorontheprairie.com/2016/05/01/magical-lights-in-the-fairy-garden/
Oh so Amazing 🙂 So Wonderful
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Your miniature garden scenes are delightful. I don’t know if your images are under copyright. I would like to use #73 as part of the cover art for my new book on church planting (starting new churches). Please, be so kind to send me written permission to use your photo.I will be glad to send you the final book cover after the cover art is completed. Thank you.
Hi again. I think I have the wrong number above. I meant to ask about #72–the wooden church. Thank you so much for your consideration of my request.
This has given me so many ideas, I luv your comments on them too. I’m starting on it now.