Frolic with the Fairies

Last summer, some fairy garden enthusiasts in the Magnolia Garden Club discussed their whimsical creations at a meeting, sparking inspiration and excitement. An idea took hold to share the tiny gardens with the public during a springtime tour and a committee was formed. Thus began the planning for a Fairy Garden Tour in Historic Old Town Brunswick. The club started working in earnest on handmade fairies and gardens in the beginning of 2022 and will be unveiling their magical masterpieces during an inaugural Fairy Garden Tour on April 23. You’re invited to peek in on the pixies in eight beautiful Old Town gardens between 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., rain or shine. You’ll find the fairies in houses or hanging from vines or playing near the beach. Two of the gardens are Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats and there’s even a garden where “real” fairies will frolic on the hour. Intrigued? Read more …

According to our friends at the Magnolia Garden Club, a fairy garden is essentially a dollhouse for gardeners. Whether the inhabitants of the garden are fairies or gnomes, their surroundings take on a magical life through the gardener’s imagination. Plants used can be real, dried, or artificial, as it suits the gardener. Changes can be made on a whim, seasonally, or not at all. The gardener is in control of this world. Whether the fairy garden is in a quiet corner of the yard or in a container inside to be admired, they designed to be fun. You may discover that your own houseplants offer space for the addition of a fairy scene. After visiting the fairy garden tour, you may start to see little nooks and potential playgrounds for fairies everywhere!

The Welcome Center (#6), presented by Karen Figueroa, Sandy Dean and Nora Sue Spencer, is the place to pick up tickets purchased online or to purchase tickets on the day of the tour. There will be knowledgeable folks here from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to answer questions and give directions. There will also

be water available for purchase here and at The Fairy Market (#1), presented by Karen Dwyer. The market will be stocked with handmade fairies, fairy headbands, plants, and fairy gardens in wooden boxes, the perfect size for any porch.

In The Hidden Gardens (#2), presented by Sandy Colhard, there’s a scavenger hunt for little fairy scenes. Look over, under, up, and down to find fairies busy at play or resting at their homes. Visitors will also be introduced to the beauty of dried flowers and ways in which to use them.

Camper Glam Park (#4), presented by Connie Neimans, holds a village of fairies and their friends living in vintage campers underneath a big old magnolia tree. Trailer Park fairies are particularly adventurous, as they love to wander, to explore new destinations and enjoy nature. Folklore tells us that fairies have magical powers and love mischief-making late at night under the moonlight and stars. The vintage camper homes are landscaped with pebbles for pathways, picnic tables for dining al fresco, twig tents, hammocks, and a fire pit for the evening campfire and story time. A border of snapdragons and zinnias add a riot of color to this whimsical springtime garden

It is well known by those of us who have friends among the “Wee Folk” that they have very busy lives. Washing the feet of caterpillars can literally take a whole afternoon! And as

babysitting fairies can attest, telling sleep-tight stories to baby hummingbirds, although rewarding, can take your breath away. When they want some “me time,” fairies have retreats, getaways, hideouts, and quiet places to rest their wings, so to speak. A Lake House Roost (#5), presented by Guynel Johnson with artistic credit to Jerry Burkard, is just such a place. Highly rated on FlyRnR (Fly, Rest & Relax -- a popular site for the winged folk), this cottage is much loved for its rustic appeal and earthy fragrance. It has plenty of outside space to lollygag around and take in sunsets. It also offers a dock where guests can take out a small boat to watch the moon rise on the water and listen to the frogs sing. The interior boasts a spacious open living area and quiet spot for a sleeping nest.

An Enchanted Pond (#7), presented by Mary Lou Hagey, is a garden that naturally lures fairies, because they love to be near the water. In fact, koi are their best friends! The fairies have built a whole community of homes around the pond, and the HOA does not pick house colors here! The fairies are totally free to express their personality in their beautiful homes. There are even high-rise condos in orchid pots attached to the trees. The fairies at this garden are protected by the live oaks and are living blissfully, their existence known only by the gardener.

A Woodland Hamlet (#8), presented by Shelley LaForte, has the distinction of hosting the world’s largest fairy house. You may have seen it on the TV show “Homes of the Fairy Famous!” This tiny town has everything a family would need rising high into the trees. There is even a park in the stump. This garden will change your mind about small town living and have you singing about “Movin’ On Up!”

Forest Hideaway (#9), presented by Jan Galloway, reminds us that we share the wooded spaces of our yards with all kinds of living creatures that interact together –including fairies. Such a quiet and peaceful yard shares its secrets with those who are observant. Look at every stump and notice the little benches and tables and the fishing pond. The wee folk visit here and have all kinds of social interaction. You may find frog friends and happy snails sipping acorn tea and nibbling sunbeam cookies. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of fairy children flitting in and out of the hanging moss in a game of tag. Keep looking, for there is much to see here, and listen too, because you just might hear a bumblebee crew singing their favorite songs as they buzz around the abundant blooming flowers.

The Wings and Wands (#3)

garden, presented by Linda Flournoy, is an extra special one, so don’t miss it! Listen for the bells to chime on the hour, because that’s when the “real” fairies come out to frolic. You’ll adore seeing these winged youngsters at play with their fairy godmothers lovingly attending to their needs. The garden’s lush vegetation and beautiful water feature offer a delightful place to romp.

The Magnolia Garden Club wants to express special thanks to Jeff Faletto for sharing his artist talents and to Kate Dart of Merci Bouquet Flower Truck and Hollie Edgy at the Flower Basket for supplying flowers to dry. Tour tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and older. Follow the Magnolia Garden Club Facebook page for purchase information or contact Sandy Dean at 912.996.0663 or deanhome@bellsouth.net. Organized in 1957, the Magnolia Garden Club continues to hold the objectives of the advancement of gardening, beautification and historic preservation within the City of Brunswick and its Old Town District. And this inaugural Fairy Garden Tour shows that this “old” club still has some creative new tricks!

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