Many gardeners complain that they only get to enjoy their gardens on the weekends. Weekday daylight hours are often filled with work, errands, chores and other obligations that conspire to keep garden lovers busy until long after the sun sets. For these gardeners, I propose planting a moon garden.
This small moon garden in Central Florida is planted under a Moon Sycamore tree. Click the image to learn more.
Moon gardens are full of flowers and plants best appreciated at night: white or pale blooms and foliage to catch the moonlight, and flowers that emit their scents more strongly after dark. I like to add white flowers that provide nectar for visiting moths. People also include fountains, lighting, and other soothing decor to bring a sense of peace. Here are some ideas for building a moon garden of your own.
Moon Garden Plants:
Moonflowers are the perfect fit in a moon garden. Photo by Jen Giordano.
- For white or pale foliage, try hostas like ‘Dancing Star‘ in northern areas, or caladium bulbs like ‘June Bride’ in warmer climates. Dusty Miller, artemesia, and lavendula can be planted as annuals in almost any zone.
- Add texture and height with ornamental grasses, like Dwarf Fountain Grass or Pampas Grass.
- Start your garden off in early spring with white flowering bulbs, like snowdrops or crocus - White Flower Farm has a nice bulb mix.
- Choose annuals with white or pale colors depending on your zone and planting area. Impatiens, vinca, geraniums, angelonia, salvia… whatever catches your eye.
- For nectar plants to attract sphinx and other nectaring moths, choose white or pale pink pentas, salvia, echinacea, cosmos, shasta daisies, evening primrose, four-o-clocks, trailing lantana, or any other nectar-bearing flower that suits your garden.
- Plants like evening primrose, four-o-clocks, and moonflower have the added benefit of opening only in late afternoon or evening; they can really only be appreciated in a moon garden.
Solar moon stake from Gardener's Supply Company
Lighted Fountain available at Hayneedle.com
- Fountains add a soothing sound to a night garden. Try adding one that includes lighting for a little extra glow. Remember to avoid solar-powered fountains, though, as most only run during daylight hours.
- Solar-powered light stakes do work well in a moon garden. Use several to add low lighting to a path (check out these flower-shaped states from Collections Etc.) or a single decorative stake as an accent.
- You can also illuminate a path with lighted stepping stones. Click here for a DIY version from BirdsandBlooms.com.
- Some people like wind chimes in a night garden. Wind is often light at night, keeping the sounds from the wind chimes low and soothing. These Chakra Flags Chimes from Uncommon Goods seem perfect for a peaceful moon garden.
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