Spiraea Magic Carpet is a beautiful and versatile shrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a compact and low-growing shrub that reaches a height of about 2 feet and spreads up to 3 feet wide. The name "Magic Carpet" perfectly describes the appearance of this shrub, as its foliage seems to resemble a colorful carpet. The leaves of Spiraea Magic Carpet are small, oval-shaped, and have a vibrant combination of colors. When they emerge in spring, the leaves are a bronzy-red color, gradually turning yellow and then maturing into a rich green during the summer months. In the fall, the foliage turns a vibrant orange-red, adding a touch of warmth to the garden.
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TC – The inspiration for the story came from the dust jacket cover art. I had just finished my memoir, Roads Over Brown County, which took me two years to write, and I was playing around with a fairy design and thought it would be a fantastic image for a book cover. I keep thinking how nice a fantasy book cover it would make but didn’t know what kind of story it should be, and I didn’t have a title. For some unknown reason, while I was working on the cover art, I was also reading Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz again.
After I added tattoos on the fairy’s arm and some glowing orbs behind her, it came to me. I knew exactly who this fairy witch was. It made perfect sense; she was a good fairy witch, Glinda’s daughter, the Good Witch of the South. I instantly knew what I wanted to write.
For reasons I can’t explain, the first chapter I wrote in my journal was the epilogue. Everything else about the plot instantly fell into place.
What were some ideas that you wanted to keep from the classic Wizard of Oz and what were some new ideas you wanted to introduce?
TC – That’s a good question. I decided to combine aspects from Baum’s original book and the 1939 MGM movie with Judy Garland. Not many realize that in Baum’s books, Glinda was the Good Witch of the South, or also known as Glinda the Good, and not the Good Witch of the North. For fun, I decided to give Glinda the last name Glinda Goodwitch. I also decided to have the main characters from Baun’s book and the movie, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion play a part in my book. I also thought it would be fun to add subtle echoes from the movie within my book.
One of my favorite moments in the film is at the end when Dorothy is back home in her own bed, and she is telling her family and friends about Oz. I wanted to capture this iconic moment in the book.
So when the main character, Samantha Goodwitch, Glinda’s daughter, is recuperating from a terrible injury from fighting the vicious red alpha dragon. She wakes up in an unfamiliar bed and looks up at her companions, and tells them about a dream she’d been having. She points a trembling finger at each one and says, “You, and you, and you . . . . . and you were there.” I also had the new Wicked Witch taunt her victims as she did in the movie, using some of the barbs the Wicked Witch of the West used. All of these small touches made the story special and fun for me when I was writing. It made me smile.
I added one piece of imagery at the beginning of the book when Sam is crouched on the roof of the castle looking out across the land of Oz that has been with me since I was a child. I am almost sure it started from the very first time I watched the movie. It happens when the Munchkins escort Dorothy to the center of Munchkin City to show her the Yellow Brick Road. Where the Yellow Brick Road spirals out from the center of the city, there is another spiraling brick road, but the bricks are red. That always fascinated me, and I have ever wondered what kind of adventures one would find following the Red Brick Road. To this day, when I watch the movie, I whisper, “Dorothy, take the Red Brick Road.”
Sam is an intriguing character that I enjoyed watching develop. What were some obstacles you felt were important to the characters development?
Mainly believing in herself and proving herself to her mother, to her sister, and to everyone she loved. Every time I start a new book project, I struggle with it, from my children’s picture books to my novels – especially my novels. So, I say to everyone, “Believe!”
Do you plan to write other stories within the land of Oz?
When I first started writing this Ozarian tale, I said to myself, “What am I think writing a book based on a classic like Oz!” Doing another book? Well, I will tell you this: I have already written an outline. But to be honest, the two years it took me to write The Good Witch of the South knocked the breath out of me. I am not sure I have it in me to write another adventure in the Land of Oz. But one never knows.
I have to admit. Now that this Good Witch story is finished, I find myself genuinely missing my daily visits to the Oz.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
There is a darkness brewing in the west and alarming rumors of dragons and an evil enchantress building an army to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. A demon fairy witch the Land of Oz hasn’t seen since Dorothy Gale destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West.
Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
THE GOOD WITCH OF THE SOUTH
A well-developed fantasy spinoff that will transport teen readers.
War simmers in the land of Oz in this YA adventure based on the events in L. Frank Baum’s classic fantasy.
In Quadling Country, Samantha Goodwitch is the 15-year-old daughter of Glinda the Good. Eight years ago, her father, Lucius, disappeared in a green explosion; her stepsister, Elle, is the offspring of Lucius and the long-deceased Wicked Witch of the West. Messengers from Winkie Country arrive and deliver a scroll; Glinda learns of an “enchantress” who’s become Queen of the Winkies and wants to control of the City of Emeralds and the Wizard of Oz’s throne. Glinda decides to visit Rumpart, King of the Winkies, with a contingent of soldiers, including Elle. Sam wants to join them, but Glinda says she must guard the throne. With a sword she received for her 16th birthday, Sam decides to challenge the dragons said to menace nearby villages. She rehabilitates her father’s injured warhorse, researches dragons in the library, and creates a fireproof salve in preparation. She also begins having visions that tell her to “Find the Crow.” Will she, like the famous Dorothy Gale, find friends to help on her quest? Bartlett effectively builds on Baum’s series, which began with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), while also paying homage to other classic fantasy adventures, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1937). Readers new to the genre may find the first third of the story too placid, but solid worldbuilding establishes Sam as a magical character who can even fly but who still needs guidance. Overall, the book will be a treat for those who are familiar with previous Oz tales; Sam gradually assembles her own helpers, including Akasha the warrior cat, but Baum’s original heroes eventually do turn up, and warm nostalgia will greet fans as Sam sees “the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion” appear as “small specks on the hillside.” Although the protagonist learns a lesson (“everyone you love is all that matters”), it proves to be a costly one as the narrative unfurls. A grand surprise helps set up a potential sequel.
A well-developed fantasy spinoff that will transport teen readers.
Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73390-862-7
Page Count: 354
Publisher: Sandhill Publishers
Good Witch of the South
outfit details – cardigan: Forever 21 // dress: Charlotte Russe // necklace: Swarovski Crystals // belt: Armani Exchange // ring + hair clip: vintage // purse: LeSportsac (buy here) // earrings: Zales // shoes: Report // glasses: Derek Cardigan (buy here) // wand: Disney Store (buy here)
Oz: The Great and Powerful was a bit of a let down for me. I’m a fan of many Oz related things, but I feel like Disney could’ve done SO. MUCH. MORE. Ugh! It wasn’t particularly terrible, just disappointing with its lack of character development on major characters. *cough*Wicked Witch*cough* It was entertaining enough for me to watch it a second time, though I have to say I mostly wanted to see Finely, the adorable flying monkey voiced by Zach Braff, again! He’s seriously the best thing in the movie. And China Girl is super cute as well. I watched it last week with Tim and then a few days later with Shanice and Jen. Before the movie came out, the girls and I talked about how fun it would be to go to the theater dressed up like the three witches in the film a la Disneybound. I already had the wand, so Glinda was my designated witch. I was inspired by the last outfit she wore in the movie since it had lots of pink, unlike the other two gowns she wore which were mostly white, gold, and silver.
Sooo… this isn’t exactly what I wore when I watched the movie with the two girls. I just made a couple of changes, like my vintage rhinestone clip and silver belt. I originally wore a white rose in my hair and a skinny brown belt. Just a few switches can really help change an ensemble! Plus the glitziness of the clip reflects Glinda’s crown much more than a white rose. I also tried to incorporate some of the elements from not just Glinda herself, like with the mixing of gold and silver accessories, but also from other characters/scenery with my my LeSportsac x Disney It’s a Small World purse featuring adorable little Dutch children that kind of look like Munchkins, and my big yellow flower ring 🙂
Would I recommend watching Oz: The Great and Poweful? Sure. Like I said, I found it entertaining, and if you’re okay with movies that don’t have amazing plot/character development, then you should be okay! It’s visually gorgeous and it has its good moments (Finely! Oh, and Michelle Williams made a good Glinda). But I dare you to try and not want to punch James Franco in the face. He was so schmoozy!
In the fall, the foliage turns a vibrant orange-red, adding a touch of warmth to the garden. One of the main attractions of Spiraea Magic Carpet is its beautiful clusters of flowers. In late spring to early summer, this shrub produces an abundance of flat-topped clusters of small, pink flowers.
These delicate flowers not only add beauty to the landscape but also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. In addition to its ornamental features, Spiraea Magic Carpet is easy to care for, making it a popular choice for gardeners. It is a hardy shrub that can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It prefers a well-draining soil and full sun to part shade. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant and can withstand periods of dry weather. Pruning is not typically required for Spiraea Magic Carpet, but it can be shaped and maintained by removing any dead or damaged branches. This shrub also benefits from an occasional rejuvenation pruning to encourage new growth and maintain its compact form. Spiraea Magic Carpet is a versatile shrub that can be used in various garden settings. It works well as a border plant, groundcover, or mass planting. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for edging pathways or filling in gaps between taller plants. Additionally, it can be grown in containers to add color and interest to patios or balconies. Overall, Spiraea Magic Carpet is a stunning and easy-to-grow shrub with year-round visual appeal. Its colorful foliage, delicate flowers, and compact size make it a favorite among gardeners looking for a low-maintenance yet beautiful addition to their landscapes..
Reviews for "Creating a Stunning Garden with Spiraea Magic Carpet"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Spiraea magic carper plant. The color of the flowers was not as vibrant as I expected, and they wilted very quickly. The leaves also seemed to lose their shine after a few weeks. Overall, I found this plant to be quite high maintenance and not worth the investment.
2. Mark - 1 star - I was not impressed with the Spiraea magic carper at all. The plant had a weak and spindly appearance, and it didn't seem to grow as vigorously as other plants in my garden. The flowers were hardly noticeable and the overall effect was very underwhelming. I would not recommend this plant to anyone looking for a vibrant and attractive addition to their garden.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Spiraea magic carper, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The plant seemed to struggle with pests, attracting lots of insects that caused damage to the leaves and flowers. Despite my efforts to control the pests, the plant never thrived and eventually died. It was a frustrating experience and I would not purchase this plant again.
4. Robert - 2 stars - The Spiraea magic carper plant did not perform well in my garden. The foliage had a dull and uninteresting color, and the flowers were sparse and unimpressive. Additionally, the plant seemed to struggle with the hot and dry conditions in my area, despite being advertised as a hardy plant. I was disappointed with the overall performance of this plant and would not recommend it to others.