Once upon a time, a magical realm existed in a world not so far away where fairytales came to life. From the pages of storybooks to the silver screen, these enchanting tales have captivated audiences for generations.
But what if you could bring a piece of that magic into your backyard?
From delicate blooms that look like they’ve been plucked from a storybook to lush foliage that seems to dance in the breeze, these 14 fairytale-inspired plants will transform your outdoor space into an enchanted forest.
1. Snapdragons
Snapdragons are a must-have for any fairytale garden. These charming flowers resemble tiny dragons, with their uniquely shaped petals that snap open and closed when gently squeezed.
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Available in a vibrant array of colors, snapdragons add a playful and whimsical touch to your garden beds or containers. They are visually appealing and have a long blooming period, providing color from spring through fall. These plants thrive in well-draining soil and prefer full sun to partial shade, making them versatile for various garden settings.
2. Foxgloves
Foxgloves are tall and stately, the quintessential fairytale flower. Their towering spires of bell-shaped blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white create a mesmerizing display that seems to beckon fairies and woodland creatures.
These plants add vertical interest to your garden and create a sense of enchantment. They are biennial plants, meaning they typically bloom in their second year and then self-seed to continue the cycle. They prefer well-draining soil and partial shade, making them ideal for woodland-inspired gardens or alongside trees and shrubs.
3. Bleeding Hearts
With their delicate, heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems, bleeding hearts embody romance and whimsy. These graceful plants bloom in shades of pink and white, adding a touch of elegance to your fairytale garden.
Bleeding hearts thrive in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They are perfect for creating a dreamy and enchanting atmosphere, especially when planted in masses or alongside other shade-loving plants like ferns and hostas.
4. Fairy Ferns
Delicate and ethereal, fairy ferns are the perfect addition to any shady spot in your fairytale garden. Their lacy, finely-cut fronds create a soft, airy texture that evokes a sense of magic and wonder.
Fairy ferns are ideal for ground cover or as an understory plant beneath taller shrubs and trees. These low-maintenance ferns prefer moist, well-draining soil and thrive in partial to full shade. They add a lush and verdant element to your garden, creating the illusion of a miniature enchanted forest floor.
5. Passionflowers
Exotic and captivating, passionflowers are a showstopper in any fairytale garden. Their intricate blooms feature a mesmerizing array of colors and patterns, with delicate filaments and striking coronas resembling crowns.
Passionflowers are visually stunning and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant has climbing vines that can be trained to grow on trellises, arbors, or along garden walls. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil, adding a touch of tropical allure to your enchanted garden.
6. Hydrangeas
With their large, fluffy flower heads in shades of pink, blue, and white, hydrangeas are a classic choice for creating a dreamy and romantic atmosphere in your fairytale garden. These shrubs provide a lush backdrop and can be used as focal points or massed together for a stunning display.
Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They bloom from summer to fall, adding long-lasting color and texture to your garden.
They also make excellent cut flowers, allowing you to bring a piece of your enchanted garden indoors.
7. Rhododendrons
Known for their spectacular clusters of vibrant blooms, rhododendrons are essential in any fairytale-inspired garden. These evergreen shrubs come in a wide range of colors, from soft pastels to bold hues, and their lush foliage provides year-round interest.
Rhododendrons prefer partial shade and acidic, well-draining soil. They create a stunning backdrop for other fairytale plants and can be used as screening or privacy hedges, adding a sense of seclusion and mystery to your enchanted garden.
8. Climbing Roses
No fairytale garden is complete without the romance and elegance of climbing roses. These enchanting vines produce abundant fragrant blooms in various colors, from classic reds and pinks to delicate whites and yellows.
Climbing roses can be trained to grow on arbors, trellises, or along garden walls, creating a magical and inviting atmosphere. These roses require full sun and well-draining soil. They bloom from late spring to summer, filling your garden with their intoxicating scent and breathtaking beauty.
Pair them with other fairytale plants like foxgloves or hydrangeas for a truly enchanting display.
9. Loropetalum
Loropetalum’s cascading branches and vibrant foliage are underrated gems for fairytale gardens. This evergreen shrub features delicate, fringed flowers in shades of pink or white, which contrast beautifully against its deep purple or burgundy leaves.
It adds a touch of whimsy and magic to your garden, even in the depths of winter.
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It can be used as a focal point, hedge, or background plant, providing structure and year-round interest to your enchanted garden.
10. Dwarf Japanese Maple
With its delicate, lacy leaves and graceful form, the dwarf Japanese maple is a perfect addition to any fairytale garden. These slow-growing trees come in various leaf colors, from vibrant reds and oranges to soft greens and yellows, creating a mesmerizing display throughout the seasons.
Dwarf Japanese maples prefer partial shade and well-draining soil. They make stunning focal points or can create a canopy effect in smaller gardens, adding a sense of enchantment and tranquility to your outdoor space.
11. Arabis
Arabis, also known as rock cress, is a charming groundcover that creates a carpet of delicate white or pink flowers in early spring. Its low-growing habit and ability to cascade over rocks and walls make it an ideal choice for adding a touch of romance and whimsy to your fairytale garden.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It is a low-maintenance plant that spreads quickly, filling in gaps and softening hard edges in your garden.
Pair it with spring-blooming bulbs, or use it to create a magical border along pathways.
12. Periwinkle
With its dainty blue or purple flowers and glossy, evergreen foliage, periwinkle is a charming addition to any fairytale garden. This low-growing groundcover spreads quickly, creating a lush carpet of color that evokes a sense of enchantment and tranquility.
This plant thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. It is an excellent choice for underplanting larger shrubs or trees or filling gaps between stepping stones.
Periwinkle also looks stunning when allowed to cascade over the edges of containers or garden walls.
13. Muhly Grass
Muhly grass is a show-stopping addition to any fairytale garden with its ethereal plumes of pink or purple flowers. This ornamental grass creates a soft, hazy effect that evokes a sense of magic and wonder, especially when backlit by the sun.
This grass thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It is a low-maintenance plant that provides year-round interest with its lush foliage and stunning fall color.
Use muhly grass as a focal point, mass planting, or backdrop for other fairytale plants.
14. Daisies
Simple yet enchanting, daisies are a classic choice for creating a whimsical and carefree atmosphere in your fairytale garden. These cheerful flowers come in various colors, from pure white to sunny yellow and soft pink, and their delicate petals seem to dance in the breeze.
Daisies thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. They are easy to grow and make excellent cut flowers, allowing you to bring a touch of fairytale magic indoors.
Plant daisies in masses or use them to create a charming border along pathways or garden beds.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.