Casting a Spell

Garden Fairies Welcome Here
By L.A. Eaton

It’s only a jump and a skip to the Grand Fairy Home from the cottage. But you might get lost in thought whilst strolling through the bonsai forest. Or stop for a rest under a whimsical, bright red or blue toadstool. And of course you’ve got to see what magic awaits you in one of the shiny gazing balls.

No, it’s not a scene out of the hobbit; it’s a fairy garden that is featured at a gift and garden center called Elkwood Crossing in Culpeper. Each Gnome culture piece can be purchased and collected over time so anyone can create their own fairy garden at home. There are also plenty of collectable fairies throughout the gift center, courtesy of artist Mark Roberts who seems to have created a pixie or elf for every occasion.

There is magic, not only for little creatures, but for tall garden lovers as well. The first thing you’ll notice when visiting Elkwood, are all the tall topiaries in many different forms from dolphins, deer, and stars, to the traditional ball or spiral trees. You may even see an alligator, in topiary-form, seemingly guarding the little red wagons that visitors can use as they browse the nursery.

“Animals are really popular,” said Mike Layden, who, along with his wife Laura, own and operate Elkwood. They offer customers topiaries that are not readily available in the Northern Virginia area. A company in Oregon supplies the center with its green sculp-tures. “We had some dancing bears that went really fast. Some people buy four or five at a time,” said Mike.

It’s easy to load up the little red wagon, as you stroll through the nursery under the large pergolas that provide shade and a calming serenity. You’ll have your pick of an-nuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, ceramic pots, yard ornaments, and outdoor furniture that includes a steel Leaf Faux Green chair and footstool set.

If it’s not warm enough for you, try the Green House, which is the favorite spot of horticulturist Laura. Houseplants and orchids live here, along with the infamous fairy garden. Laura has also displayed her creative know how in the gift center with upside-down Christmas trees that display the collectible fairies.

It’s not only enchanting to visit, but Elkwood is also comfortable to friends and fam-ily. The restored 1806 farmhouse, (that’s the periwinkle blue one you can see from highway 29) is a second home to Mike and Laura who spend hours there with their chil-dren, Maayke, Will, Josh, and Carley. Even when the couple began with a roadside stand, selling landscape plants and mulch, they had a vision of a wondrous garden and landscape experience. For more information check out www.elkwoodcrossing.com.