A Garden In The Night: Ideas For A Moon Garden
Moon gardening at night is a great way to enjoy white or light-colored, night-blooming plants, in addition to those that release their intoxicating aromas in the evening. White flowers and light-colored foliage reflect the moonlight. Not only are these a beautiful sight to behold, or smell, but these night gardens also attract important pollinators, such as moths and bats. Keep reading for ideas for a moon garden.
Ideas for a Moon Garden
Creating a garden for the night is easy, and once completed, it will provide hours of relaxing nighttime enjoyment. When designing this type of garden, consider its location carefully. Having a place to sit and take in the view and scents is one of the most important aspects of the moon garden. Therefore, you may want to consider designing the garden around a patio or deck. Likewise, you could simply locate the night garden near a window of the home or add a bench, swing, or other comfortable seating within the garden itself. While plants with white or light-colored flowers are common to the moon garden, you should also consider the foliage—with green leaves contrasting white blooms, while silver or gray, blue-green, and variegated foliage enhance the garden as well. In fact, all-white gardens rely heavily on this light-colored or variegated foliage to heighten its overall effect.
Moon Garden Plants
There are many plants suitable for moon gardening. Popular night-flowering plants include:
For intense fragrance, you might include:
Great choices for moon gardening foliage plants include:
- Silver Artemisia
- Lamb's ear
- Herbs like silver sage or thyme.
Variegated shrubs and plants, like cannas and hostas, can make excellent choices as well. For additional interest, you could even consider implementing some white vegetable varieties like white eggplant and white pumpkins. There is no right or wrong design for gardening at night. Moon garden designs are based solely on one's own needs and preferences. However, there are many resources available, both online and in books, that can help provide additional design ideas and plants for creating a moon garden.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.
-
Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own Backyard
In addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
By Amy Grant
-
Should You Cut Back Roses In The Fall? – When To Prune Your Prized Shrubs For Winter
Discover whether to cut back roses before the onset of winter – or to leave plants alone until spring.
By Melanie Griffiths