by Melissa Miles McCarter

Created on: March 03, 2010

Moon gardening has a long pagan history in which religious rituals took place in the like of the moon surrounded by fragrant and night-blooming plants.  Gardening has always been linked to the moon and its cycles, so it makes sense that a moon garden could be a fun addition to a modern garden. 

A moon garden is also called an evening garden or a white garden because it is filled with flowers or plants featuring light or white shades that really become visible in moonlight.  In fact, the staple of a moon garden is the moonflower because of its color and that it releases a fragrant scent at night. 

The first consideration for you moon garden placement is to make sure it is in the moon’s light path to make your moon garden truly visible.  However there isn’t always moonlight every night so consider outside garden lighting such as moonlike globes.

Next, consider what plants you want have in your moon garden.  To do this, check out these seeds you can buy to start your moon garden.  But to help you in your choices, consider your senses when designing your garden.

The Senses in Your Mood Garden

Sight: Bright white flowers that bloom at night are important, like jasmine, evening primrose or silver foliage plants.

Smell: Night-bloomers such as moonflowers, four-o'clocks, and angels' trumpets, are great for a moon garden and provide exception scents for a fragrant night experience. 

Sound: swishing foliage of grasses, bamboos, and even pine trees as they flutter in the wind.  Also water features or wind-chimes can add to the sounds.

Touch:  Make sure you have a place to sit and enjoy your garden that is comfortable.  Perhaps a bench or a comfortable chair.  It takes awhile for your eyes to get accustomed to the dark and really get the most out of your moon garden, so a comfortable place to sit is essential.

Other Tips

When working with your moon garden, try to make sure it glows over three seasons by choosing a variety of white annuals and perennials.

Make this garden a special separate space with a trellis or hedge or other partial enclosure.

To heighten the moon glow of your moon garden, plant everything against a darker background such as a brick wall, dark hedge, or even a plain green lawn.  Don’t have another garden section or other flowers or plants which aren’t moon-savvy to be visible behind your moon garden.

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