Moon gardens are a backyard oasis designed for  unwinding in the evening, and of course, the occasional dinner party or wine tasting. These gardens go against the grain with their monochromatic design, understated beauty and moon loving plants.

Unlike daytime gardens that often burst with color, plants with white or silver features are favored by moon gardeners. Multicolored flowers lose their luster in moonlight whereas white flowers emanate the glow of moonlight. Popular plants include moon flowers (Ipomoea alba) the nighttime equivalent of the morning glory and the sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) with its long blooming season. Devil’s trumpets and angel’s trumpets (Datura meteloides and  Brugmansia arborea) with opposing trumpet shapes are also favored for their aroma, which becomes stronger at night.

Water features are also a welcomed addition to moon gardens. Their gentle sounds add to the calming environment. To reap the full enjoyment of your water feature, add breeds of fish to control mosquito populations. For details, see our post Combating Mosquitos Near Water Features coming soon.

Further Reading: Peter Loewer,  “The Evening Garden: Flowers and Fragrance from Dusk till Dawn” and Scott Ogden, “The Moonlit Garden.”

Excited about the prospect of an evening oasis? Call Columbine Design to plan, install, and maintain your moon garden (303) 761-6807.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Image Source:  RealSimple.com