Creating a moon garden in New England

It's never too early to start planning your summer moon garden.

“As the summer sun sets and makes way for a star-filled sky, an evening garden starts to glow in the moonlight. “

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term moon garden or an evening garden, it is simply a garden or area planted with white and pale tone plants that seem to glow as it reflects the light of the moon or other surrounding artificial light. Not only is a moon garden beautiful both day and night, it also gives off an extra-rich and delicious scent that attracts evening pollinator such as the hummingbird moth. 

Hummingbird Moth

If you like the idea of planning and planting your own moon garden but do not have the space, window boxes and flower boxes work just as well.

Some flowers and plants to consider for a moon garden:

Evening Primrose – This pinkish-white flower releases a sweet aroma and opens at dusk making it perfect for a night-blooming garden.  It is also a great perennial if you are looking for a quick spreading plant. 

Evening Stock – I wouldn’t say it’s the prettiest flower out there, but when they open at night they release a heavenly scent.

The Moonflower – Somewhat like a Morning Glory, but larger, the Moonflower only blooms at night offering a soft lemony scent.

Night Phlox – If you like the scent of sweet vanilla, Night Phlox is one to try out.

Night Gladiolus – This flower is open day and evening, but seems to give off a stronger spicy scent at night.

Petunia Axillaris – I would say this is an essential sweet-smelling flower for a moon garden.

Butterfly Bush – Without fail, hummingbird moths, also known as hawk moths, have visited our Butterfly Bush each year.  Keep in mind where you plant this bush since it can get quite large both in height and in width.