What's a Moon Garden?

Did you know that once evening arrives a magical world of plants and insects begins to stir?

There are plants that keep their blooms tightly shut by day, but when touched by the cool breeze of evening, their blossoms pop open, revealing most luscious night scents.

These flashy night bloomers attract night pollinators that are incredibly beautiful and mysterious.

It's all found in a moon garden.

photo by author

photo by author

A moon garden is a garden that looks fabulous by day, but at night it really begins to shine. Moon gardens are designed to be enjoyed both day and night.

Evening is when the night blooming flowers begin to let loose. They show off their personality by quickly unfurling their petals and releasing their flirtatious perfume.

The one necessary requirement of a moon garden is that you must sit still and allow your senses to acclimate to the low light. Once you've tuned into your senses, you'll discover sights, sounds and scents that only belong to the night.

Before you know it, you'll feel relaxed and worry free, leaving the frantic pace of the day behind.

- White or light colored flowers for daytime interest

- Night blooming flowers for intoxicating scents

- Solar garden lights for sparkle

- A comfy seat to take it all in

Photo Credit

photo by author

By far the most important ingredient for your moon garden is the night bloomer. Did you know there are plants that only show off their blooms in the evening hours?

These flowers could be called shy by day, but just wait. Once the day begins to cool and the night slips in......they really put on a show. Night bloomers wait for the evening hours to show off their stuff, often unfolding in a matter of minutes!

Their most telling feature? Evening bloomers have an intoxicating scent, one that's only experience in the evening hours.

Not only do they have a special signature scent, they also attract unique nighttime pollinators. The first time you experience a visit from the hummingbird hawk moth you'll be hooked on the moon garden experience.

The Moon Flower (vine), Sacred Datura, Evening Stock, Night Phlox, Night Blooming Jasmine (pictured above) and Flowering Tobacco are popular night blooming flowers perfect for a moon garden.

photo by author

You'll want your garden to look inviting by day as well as night, so make sure you add some day blooming plants. Bright white blooms or light colored flowers are the best for a moon garden.

Why use white flowers? In the low light of evening showy colorful flowers fade to grey and are hard to distinguish, however bright white petals pop from the darkness.

Flowers that are light in color or silver hued also show themselves off in the evening.

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A spot to relax and enjoy your garden is crucial to the whole moon garden experience.

Because it takes a good 5 to 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the low light and the rest of your senses to zone in, you need to slow down to enjoy the experience.

Once you begin to allow yourself to relax, your senses will increase. You'll notice the unique sounds of the night pollinators, the bouquet of scents on the breeze and the luminous glow of the garden blossoms.

Before you know it, you've forgotten all about your hectic day.

Britta Products Luminous Glow Solar String Light (Set of 12)

A bit of twinkle will give your moon garden a magical look. There're many wonderful features you can add to your garden, any will be a nice addition. Make sure the lighting you select is not harsh; you don't want to ruin the calming effect. Remember - the stars of the garden are the flowers and you don't want lighting to outshine them.

Solar lit gazing balls, twinkling lights, solar lanterns and moonbeam jars are all great accessories for a moon garden.

Give your moon garden a little mood lighting. Add some twinkle and a bit of magic with these solar garden accessories.

Click on the links below to learn more about each product.

"All gardeners live in beautiful places, because they make them so." ~ Joseph Joubert

Remember, it takes a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the evening light. You have to deliberately slow down and relax to reap all the benefits of your moon garden. The evening scents, sounds and sights are waiting for you to take them in.

Grab a comfy place to start your moon garden experience.

Oh, if you add a glass of your favorite wine, it will just be perfect. Over-the-moon perfect.

Just click on the links below to learn more info about each bench.

photo by author

I hope you'll get a chance to experience a moon garden. If you want to make one, it's very easy to do. Just find a small space in your yard and plant a few white flowering plants and a night bloomer or two. You can slowly add to your garden over time. Remember to add a place to sit and a few moon garden accessories. It's easy to create your very own oasis right in your backyard.