Fairy Garden Contest at Museum

This miniature western landscape, created by Master Gardener Carol Nelson, evokes the feel of the desert with the cacti, stones and a cattle skull. Bring your Container Fairy Garden to the South Boston – Halifax County Museum between 10 and 10:45 a.m. on August 29 for your chance to win the contest.

On Saturday, August 29 starting at 10 a.m., the Southside Master Gardener Association will hold a Fairy Garden Contest. A miniature container garden may be submitted by an individual of any age, a group such as a Sunday School Class or a Garden Club or a family, a Grandmother and Grandchild for example. The gardens must be brought to the South Boston – Halifax County Museum on the morning of August 29 between 10 and 10:45 a.m. Registration forms and rules are available at the Museum or the Halifax Extension Office.

Fairy Garden interest may have been inspired by the Bonsai dish gardens displayed in the Japanese Pavilion at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. However, gardening for Fairies is a much older art and was based on fear that not all Fairies were friendly. It was best to offer a small place for a Fairy to rest in a miniature landscape that might encourage a malicious Fairy to do no harm or a friendly Fairy to visit more often. Today Fairy Gardens bring to mind small containers with miniature plants, tiny pieces of hardscape like seats and arbors and of course some Fairies, Gnomes or similar magical characters.

The beauty of Fairy Gardens is that because of their small size it is a wonderful way to involve children in gardening. Kids just love to help pick out the plants and small items for the garden. Being involved in the building of the garden and the maintenance can teach all respect for growing things and a love of playing in the dirt.

For the contest, the entrant must be able to hand carry the container that will be displayed on tables provided. The Fairy Garden must contain at least 2 live plants and NO artificial plants or live animals. Entries will be judged by a panel of independent judges based on overall design and creativity and imaginative use of plant material and components. The judges’ decision is final.

Visitors may vote for one entry for the People’s Choice category between 11 a.m and noon. Judges will determine the first and second place winners. Winners will be announced at 12:45 p.m.

Please join in the festivities of these gardens in miniature. Entry forms and rules may be picked up at the Museum during regular hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the Halifax Extension Office Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147, option 0.