Moon gardens come alive at night with a celestial glow

Night falls early in winter, taking the spotlight off our landscapes. Why not add some dazzle to your yard with plants that glisten in the moonlight?

Billowy white blossoms and shimmering silver leaves reflect the moon’s rays to create an ethereal quality perfect for nighttime enjoyment. Shasta daisies, sweet alyssum and white lupine are some show-stopping choices, while lamb’s ear, dusty miller and sage add a subtle silver sheen that plays with light and shadow.

Night-bloomers like the moonflower and dragonfruit cactus wait until dusk to slowly open their blossoms to the night, emitting intoxicating scents similar to citrus and coconut to attract nocturnal pollinators.

The tuberose is a succulent revered for its beauty, with tall stalks topped with flowery clusters that produce a sweet honey nocturnal scent.

Plant these and others in your garden to create a dreamy, peaceful retreat, and consider soft gentle lighting to enhance the mood—casting your landscape in a new light— when it’s dark.

 

This article was originally published in The Dirt, IRWD's quarterly gardening newsletter. Read more and sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox