Creating a Garden in Miniature

I came away from my recent trip to Nova Scotia with a renewed fascination for some of 

plant world's smallest members.

The rockgarden in Truro, Nova Scotia

Back home in Ontario, I have two miniature gardens that I created a few years ago using old concrete birdbaths. 

I like the birdbaths because they bring these delicate looking plants up where you can best admire their texture and diminutive blooms.

Both birdbaths have homes in my back garden. Usually I remove the saucer-like top of each birdbath and put them in a protected spot to overwinter. Last fall was hectic, however. I managed to remove only one of the two birdbath tops, and only got as far as placing it on the ground.  As luck would have it, a winter long covering of snow protected this saucer. 

Unfortunately, the other birdbath top was left on its stand all winter and took a beating. Harsh winds and extremely cold temperatures ended up killing all its plants.

Thankfully the birdbath top on the ground sprang back to life this spring.

The moral of this story is: In areas as far north as zone 6b, all birdbath planters definitely 

need some sort of winter protection!

Inspired by my trip home to Nova Scotia, I decided to create a third birdbath planter for the front garden.

Like most birdbaths, this terra cotta birdbath comes in two pieces. (purchased at Terra Nurseries in Milton, ON)

(Terra cotta will crack in winter, so this birdbath will need to be stored in a cool, dry place like a  heated garage overwinter. So far (knock wood!), I have had not problems with my concrete birdbaths cracking in winter.)

To start your birdbath planter, fill the top saucer halfway with fine gravel. I used pea gravel, but if you can find a finer gravel, so much the better. (Note: I have never drilled a hole in the bottom of my birdbaths for drainage. The gravel alone seems to provide enough drainage.)

Find yourself an empty pot and mix together equal portions of fine gravel and a good quality top soil. Gauge the amount of topsoil/gravel mixture you need according to the size of your birdbath.

Now pour the gravel and topsoil mixture on top of your first layer of pea gravel. Ideally when you are finished pouring, the soil/gravel mixture should be just below the top lip of the birdbath.

Now you are ready to start planting.

This particular birdbath planter will be in full sun. 

There is a wide array of plants you could choose from for sunny conditions. I could imagine a birdbath planted with something as simple as tiny white alyssum or trailing mini-petunias could be quite nice.

For my own birdbath planter, I chose perennials: Thrift 'Nifty Thrifty' (top left), Scotch Moss, Sagina Subulata 'Aurea' (top right), Elfin Thyme (bottom left), and Crane's Bill Geranium, Erodium 'Bishop's Form'. I also used (not show here): Pink's 'Brilliant', Dianthus deloides and Adriatic Bellflower, Campanula garganica 'Dickson's Gold', Wooly thyme and a tray of succulents.

If you have shade, fear not. There are still lots of plants you can choose from.

There are small scale ferns and Creeping Jenny (as seen here).

How about using Ajuga, 'Chocolate Chip' (top left), Dwarf Goatsbeard, Aruncus aethusifolius (top right), Lamium 'Red Nancy' (bottom left) or Creeping Speedwell, Veronica filiformis (bottom right)?

Miniature hostas are another group of plants you might want to consider for shade conditions. (Warning: these hosta are adorable, but very pricy! Maybe get a gardening friend to buy a second variety and trade pieces.) 

Hosta 'Ruffled Mouse Ears' (top left), Hosta 'Cherish' (top right), Hosta 'Mini Skirt' (bottom left), and Hosta 'Cracker Crumbs' (bottom right). Who comes up with these names anyway? Hosta 'Cracker Crumbs'. How cute is that?

Adriatic Bellflower, Campanula garganica 'Dickson's Gold'

Begin planting along the outer circumference of the top saucer. Plants that will trail or spill over the lip of the birdbath are a nice choice. 

As you dig down carefully, you will displace some of the soil and gravel to make room for the roots of the potted plants you are adding. 

Spread the displaced soil evenly, slightly mounding it up in centre. In doing so, you are creating a bit of a rounded mushroom shape. (If you need to, you can always discard some excess soil mix back into the terra cotta pot where you created your soil/gavel mixture.)

Top dress any gaps between your plants with a sprinkling of more gravel. Add any decorations you want. I added a trio of little ceramic mushrooms purchased at the Dollarstore.

Water well until your plants are established and enjoy.

Here are two other birdbath planters that might inspire you. This birdbath is filled with an assortment of hostas and has Creeping Jenny spilling over the sides.

This birdbath is a shady spot is planted with ferns and Creeping Jenny.

What really makes it special however, is not the plants. It's the wonderful smooth, black pebbles.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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A Place to Unwind

We are heading into the hottest part of the summer and if ever there was a time to take a break, relax, and enjoy the garden, this would be it!

A comfortable seating area where you can entertain friends or just unwind is just what you need on hot afternoon or a sultry summer evening.

Today I have two rustic styled seating areas to inspire you to create your own perfect place to relax.

In this first space in Brampton, ON the path leads you to a little foot bridge that crosses a dry stream bed.

Here is a closer look at the dry stream bed.

Adirondack chairs are grouped around a small outdoor fireplace (it is a good idea to check local by-laws before purchasing an outdoor fireplace).

The next garden in Toronto, ON is small. 

Now, I know I have gotten in hot water over my definition of "small" in the past, but I think I am on solid ground here when I say that this backyard is "small". I am sure that the long, rectangular space would not measure much more than 12 or 15 feet across.

As you walk down the narrow flagstone walkway at the side of the house you catch sight of a distressed blue chair at the end of the path.

See, what did I tell you. Tiny! A rustic arbor marks the entrance to the space.

Here is the view looking back to the blue chair. 

Before we go on, I want to stop to admire the pretty white Snowball Viburnum, Viburnum macrocephalum which you can see peaking into the shot on the right.

I don't have a Snowball Viburnum in my garden, but I understand that they have a rounded shape and can reach as much as 20 feet high by 15 ft wide in the southern states. 

Snowball Viburnum perform best in moist soil and a shady setting. In more northern climates like Canada, shelter from cold, dry winds is recommended.

Other plantings like this Japanese Maple play off the colors of the brick house.

What makes both these spaces rustic and inviting? Surrounded by walls and greenery, they feel private and secluded. 

The chairs in both gardens have been left unpainted. They don't stand out from the landscape, they blend in. The goal here is to connect with nature, rather than to stand apart from it. 

Emphasis has been placed on rough materials like stone, brick and wood. Together the mix of contrasting textures and plant materials demands your attention and focuses your thoughts away from everyday concerns.

For me, one of the most charming details in this space was the "rock garden" in between the two adirondack chairs.

The planting is kept minimal with much of the sensual appeal going to the smooth, rounded pebbles. I love the contrast of these grey pebbles and the bright chartreuse of the fern fronds and Creeping Jenny.

I hope you are find a few spare moments to sit and enjoy your own garden this month.