✦ Fairy Houses ✦
The first time I built a fairy house, it was to cover up this lone, sad, shriveled tree trunk, which had been cut and pulled out of the ground to rest as a corner-stone at our Red House property in SE Alaska. At first, I pulled off bits and pieces of Moss from nearby and placed it upon the dried up roots—the Moss grew so thick there at the Red House, it was like a 4” carpet in many places, it felt okay to move around. Soft forest cushions covering stone.
And as those bits and pieces grew, I added special stones, feathers and bones. Pieces of my broken favorite dishes and found treasures. I transplanted Violas, and years later watched with glee as the wild Single Delights moved in. Their nodding white blossoms the perfect height for a fairy parasol. If it was a downpour, there was the inside of the house for the fairies to take cover under. Walls constructed out of rusty gold-mining pans gifted out of an antique trunk chest. These pans, coupled with the gnarled roots of the Spruce tree, made the base for that fairy house.
When I would finish processing Devil’s Club root or stem pieces, I would utilize them for rooftops and expansions. It felt good to keep it tidy. To brush away the seeds, leaves and needles that accumulated. I’d pull weeds and blow off the dust every Spring. It wasn’t so much a place to pray, but more a place to attend. To show the beings whom I cannot see with my eyes but can sense with my heart, that they are appreciated. And there is a place for them to gather, a place where I can set woodland skulls and twisted horseshoes.
A place to honor the mystery and intrigue inherent in Nature.
I was quite sad to leave that first fairy house. Tucked away on the side of the garden. Fairly hidden unless you knew where to look, much like the Red House was. What pained the most was parting with the top of my favorite ceramic cup, given to me by a very special human. Or was it the blue dragonfly with a broken wing, courtesy of the Jewell Gardens glassblowing studio, year one. Swirled Triton seashells and electric blue hued Mussels, gathered by little hands when Clover and Steiner were still alive…Perhaps it was the little teapot from the set my mom sent. The chipped spout, too sharp for young fingers, but dainty enough for a tea party, even in the middle of an Alaskan winter.
At the Stepping Stone Home, I’ve constructed the fairy house out of flat, sparkly rock—recently revamped with the addition of a gnarled, and holed tree trunk. There was a pile of these flat stones left in the backyard; the fireplace inside is made from it. What I like about this particular fairy house is the Elderberry bush that rises high above it. As Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a potent and beautiful medicinal shrub, it felt extra special to place the fairy house nearby.
I transplanted Goat’s Beard nearby and it has thrived. The High Bush Cranberry…not so much. I think this year was the end for it…it really did try though. I think it’s simply too hot, not the right nutrients. I might give it a move this autumn, place it in the sun a bit more, and see what happens. The ‘Blue Moon’ Woodland Phlox blooms in late spring and has become an absolute favorite flower of mine, photo below. Skullcap, Blue Vervain and Bee Balm flank the entrance along with the Elderberry. It’s a right good spot. Even had some Motherwort magically turn up and help block the view from behind in the alley! I decided that some Stinging Nettle would also make a nice addition—and it has. It grows quick and tall in the spring, provides me with leaves for mineral rich tea, plus literal and energetic protection of the space…
Sidenote--Magical occurrence: It was Autumn Equinox of 2021—the first one I’d spent in the Mountain West. I had gathered wild blue Aster flowers, two kinds of Sage, Juniper twigs, brightly hued Maple leaves, Yarrow, empty Snail shells, Grouse feathers and bleached bones from Feather Finder Hill. I planned to decorate a fairy house in celebration of this seasonal marker.
Recently we’d acquired a bunny. A new pet. One our daughter had adamantly desired, and we’d finally accepted. That day, I wanted to bring Bun Bun outside to also enjoy the day with me—for the first 6 months we thought it would be okay to house her indoors—this was unwise. She wasn’t allowed out in the house much due to our other animals, 2 dogs + a cat. And really, bunny rabbits chew up cords…it was way more work than I anticipated, fortunately, she happily moved outside the following Spring.
At that point though, her outdoor space consisted of stacked up cement blocks. At least she was able to be directly on the ground with lots of grass to eat and fresh breezes to breathe. I thought those blocks were stacked tall enough—about hip high.
I set Bun Bun inside and went about tidying up and preparing my new fairy house spot.
About 10 minutes in, I felt/heard: check the bunny. I turned around, and there she was. Staring straight at me. Outside of the enclosure.
Turns out she could jump higher than my hip.
Oh dear…no one else was home. Thankfully the dogs were tethered up. The cat was out though. And we live in town so there can be other dogs and cats nearby. Now, to catch a rabbit is not an easy thing—she wasn’t and never became, particularly tame.
We played chase around the Lilacs, schootch under the canoe, peek-a-boo in the alley, tag behind the shed, circles around the trampoline, and back again. She enjoyed doing laps around the neighbor’s vintage automobile. I tempted her with fresh garden Carrots, Apples and Plums. Nope, not interested, this was fun! Round and round and round we went. After 35 minutes, I realized the futility, absurdity, as well as amusement the situation contained…without another person to help, I wasn’t sure how to catch her. So, I simply decided to cease all chasing, and see what would happen, as what I was doing was simply not working. I left some treats in her cage, set that nearby, and went back to work on the stone dwelling.
As Bun Bun kept close to the Lilac bushes, the perimeter of the yard, I glanced over often to see where she was. She was keeping an eye on me too. I let go of any expectations of what might happen. And I recalled a poster which was on my wall as a young child—a gleaming chestnut mare, galloping through a field of sun-lit daisies, below the text read:
“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it was never meant to be.”
And I laughed at this silly situation. Building a fairy house when I should be unpacking things and cleaning or trying to bring in an income…instead I’m chasing a young rabbit around the yard, and pondering how I’m going to tell my daughter that the rabbit she’s been wanting for the last year and a half, just escaped.
Arranging golden Rabbit-brush and Red-twigged Dogwood leaves helped calm. It was a beautiful blue-bird sunny day. Magpies were quietly chattering, while hopping about the trees. I continued placing bits of beauty among the stones. Bun Bun hopped closer. More Juniper, Hawthorn haws, and some rounded iron for an arch. She came closer. I barely breathed as she inched under the sheet metal to my left… When she hopped right in front of me, I quickly scooped her up.
Now that was magic. Or manifestation? Same difference, I think.
Alas, Bun Bun is no longer with us. I’m very grateful for that sweet little creature whom was such a bright spot during some dark days. You never know what beings will arrive in your life that make it all the more special…fairies and bunnies included.
The current iteration of the fairy house includes some pollinator ponds for insects to drop by and have a drink. It’s so hot here that I figure the shade feels good. The cats seem to appreciate it as well. You can also make a fairy garden in a pot with some succulents, maybe it’s a little altar of sorts nestled under a giant Monstera houseplant. For me, it’s fun. And when the kids were young, I could see their enchantment.
Me, I’m still enchanted…
Thanks so much for reading! Hope this inspires you to create a little spot for our winged friends :).
If you liked this essay, pretty please hit that heart button so more plant-lovers can find it, this also supports my goal in getting higher on Substacks Home & Garden list! As of this morning, I’d hit #43 — thanks so much for supporting by reading, sharing and subscribing to Archaic Joy <3
Happy Gardening!
Emily
PS: All photos are taken by yours truly (unless otherwise indicated, this essay does have one of those!). Also, absolutely ZERO Artificial Intelligence (AI) is utilized in my writing, ever. Thanks for supporting my creativity with the plants, the photography and whimsy of Nature!
So cool, thanks Emily! I have a little "fairy park" under a rose bush, and am inspired to expand it!
♡♡♡♡ oh how I miss that Alaskan moss!
I'm in the mediterranean now and I've got some ancient olive trees in the yard. We'll have to get started on our own fairy houses, my kids are going to looooove it