Make a Miniature Garden

Transform a large tray and a collection of small-scale plants into an enchanted landscape. From the teeny-tiny glass house to itty-bitty tools and thimble-size pots, the design works as a study in detail.

Set it on a sturdy plant stand or in the middle of a dining table for a captivating scene. Make a similar landscape in a smaller tray to fit a windowsill or shelf.

• 13-x-30-x-2-inch metal boot tray
• Hammer
• Awl or large nail
• Pea gravel
• Coarse sand
• Potting mix
• Tabletop terrarium
• Miniature fountain, fencing, benches, garden tools, and pots
• Aquarium gravel
• Plant stand
• Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cannon Ball')
• Thrift (Armeria spp.)
• Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum 'Sanford Hybrid' and 'Cobweb')
• Alpine white spruce (Picea glauca 'Witches Broom')
• Stonecrop pink spurium (Sedum coccineum)
• Stonecrop (Sedum makinoi 'Ogon')
• Dwarf wintercreeper (Euonymus 'Kewensis')
• Bronze Dutch clover (Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum')
• Dwarf Canadian hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis 'Burkett's White Tip')

1. Using a hammer and awl or large nail, poke holes for drainage about every 6 inches in the bottom of the metal tray.
2. Cover the bottom of the tray with a 1/2-inch-deep layer of two parts pea gravel and one part coarse sand. Top with a layer of potting mix, mounding it at least 2 inches deep.
3. Add plants, beginning with the largest specimens (dwarf conifers and succulents) and filling in with alpines and ground covers. When planting, gently loosen root balls and shake loose extraneous soil, if necessary, to tuck the roots into the potting mix. Leave room for pathways and your selection of miniature features, such as a glass house (tabletop terrarium), fountain, and other accessories.
4. With the plants and furnishings in place, sprinkle aquarium gravel over any exposed potting mix to prevent erosion.
5. Water thoroughly after planting; thereafter, water only when the potting mix feels dry.
6. To prevent damage to furniture, place the container on a waterproof tray before setting it on your plant stand or table.
7. Place the garden in a lightly shaded area where it will not bake in the sun.
8. In cold climates, move the tray indoors for winter. A cool room with bright light is best.