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Spending time in the sun may be synonymous with gardening to many, but there is plenty of beauty to be found on moonlit summer nights. Lunar Gardens are one of the most inspiring types of theme gardens. What's more, you don't need a lot of space or a collection of amazing plants to start a moon garden. Any size garden can have a moon garden with plants from fragrant annuals to hardy perennials.
What is a moon garden?
Whether it's a special flower bed or a large corner of your garden, a moon garden is a great landscaping idea. Designed for relaxing under the moonlight, the Moon Garden is filled with plants that reflect the moonlight, such as white flowers, silver leaves, and night-blooming flowers. Many moon garden ideas also include decorative lawn elements that reflect moonlight, such as viewing globes, fountains, and glowing rocks.
What to have in Moon Garden
From night-blooming moonflowers to soft silver leaves and bright white flowers, plants that look great at night are the heart of any moon garden. The best location for a moon garden is a matter of preference, but it's best enjoyed from a patio, deck or walkway. Here are some of our favorite plants that are perfect for a moon garden.
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The flower that blooms at night
A popular choice for moon gardens, night-blooming flowers provide visual appeal and attract unique pollinators. U.S. The Fish and Wildlife Service encourages moon gardens to help nature's hardworking nocturnal creatures, such as fireflies, butterflies and bats, who can collect pollen from garden sanctuaries full of nocturnal flowering plants. Nightflowers include nightflowering tobacco, dahlia and moonflower species, as well as nightflowering yucca and jasmine.
Our recommendation: Giant White Moonflower Seeds at Burpee for $4.95.
This heirloom variety is not only amazing at night, it is fragrant, fast growing and has vines up to 15 feet.
Plants with white flowers
Although many night-blooming plants are white and fragrant, any plant with white flowers that stay open can make a great addition to a moon garden. During the day, an abundance of white flowers can create a monochromatic garden effect; At night the bright white flowers will bloom in the moonlight. White flowering plants include white roses, white hydrangeas, viburnums, sweet alyssums, dahlias and daisies, as well as white annuals such as petunias.
Our recommendation: Breck's Fragrant Moonlight Garden Collection $29.99.
This selection of moon plants includes everything you need to get started, including a suggested planting pattern.
Shimmering leaves
At night, not only the flowers of the moon garden are a surprise. Plants with silver and white variegated leaves look amazing in the moonlight and create eye-catching texture in any landscape. Silver trees include several species of sagebrush, such as sagebrush, alder, and sagebrush. Also look for plants with white and green color variations, such as variegated dogwood shrub or undersized lamium (also known as nettle). The pale white variegated leaves will stand up day and night.
Our recommendation: Tree (Artemisia Silver Mound) $17.89 on Etsy.
Its silver leaves look and feel dull and are ideal for lining driveways in USDA zones 4 through 9.
sound and smell
There is nothing more enticing than strolling through a night garden and inhaling the scent of a fragrant night blooming plant. Fragrant plants like gardenia and star jasmine have white flowers that stand out in the moonlight and release a rich fragrance. Other great items to add to any moon garden are well-placed garden accessories such as a fountain or wind chime set that can enhance the ambiance of a cozy night garden.
Our recommendation: Woodstock Chimes Amazing Grace Chime on Amazon for $30.11.
These bells are tuned to the opening notes of "Amazing Grace" and are silver in color so they sparkle in the moonlight.
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Garden Design Tips 9 months
Before you start creating a moon garden, be sure to research what plants will grow in your climate. Make sure the moon garden plants you choose are not only beautiful at night, but also suitable for the growing conditions of the garden during the day. For example, white roses need lots of sunlight; Gardenias prefer shade and acidic soil. Although the general perception is that moon gardens are best seen by moonlight, they can still be admired during the day. Follow these moon garden design tips to create a dream space day and night.
- Avoid planting a moon garden where large trees can block most of the moonlight.
- Use subtle solar lights on the dark night of the new moon.
- Add a focal point to enjoy the sights and sounds of the garden at night, such as comfortable Adirondack chairs or outdoor benches.
- Always plant high enough to allow ground cover plants such as alder to grow and be visible.
- Give the plants enough room to grow so that each plant's leaves and flowers are visible.
- Think of a centerpiece, such as a ball or birdbath that features the moon and stars.
- Use light-colored stones, such as gray or white pebbles, to create a visible path that gently reflects the moonlight.
- Consider planting in a semi-circle or crescent, centering the plant for optimal moonlight.
- If you're short on space, plant a single bed or even a pot of white, silver and nightshade plants.
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