What is a moon garden?
A moon garden (AKA “white garden”) is an open, and mostly, informal garden that has been designed to be enjoyed at night. Many gardeners will use plants that are white, cream, silver, pale pink, pale blue, or even a faint yellow. But, scent is important, too. They also select flowering plants that have a lovely fragrance.
Personally, I prefer anything from simple white to ivory plants. I do have an apple tree and two cherry trees. So, for a few weeks, there’s a very pale pink in my garden. But, it’s such a lovely look! I would also suggest planting your light colored blooming plants in front of foliage that is dark green. The contrast between the white and the green can be stunning at night. Also, this kind of garden can be enjoyed almost all year around if you plant wisely. Just put in a nice mix of annuals and perennials.
Moon gardens are generally associated with summer. Some folks will actually do their planting by the light of the moon, too. (For more info on that, try this web site: http://www.plantea.com/planting-moon-phases.htm) But, honestly, it's not a prerequisite. Though, I did try it once. And my husband got kind of annoyed when I asked him to dig with me in the dark.
One of the most famous gardens of this type is at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. So, if you are visiting the United Kingdom, this is definitely the place to visit. You can see photos online at http://www.invectis.co.uk/sissing/ .
If you don’t have a garden the size of a football field (and, to be honest, who does?), but you still want to try a moon garden anyway, here are some more realistic examples to try:
1. BHG (Better Homes and Gardens) has a design that is quite nice. Please click here
2. The Evening Garden: Flowers and Fragrance from Dusk Till Dawn by Peter Loewer. (Available on Amazon.com)
3. The Moonlit Garden by Scott Ogden. (Available on Amazon.com) Note: This one has some cool pictures.
I’ve been told that moon gardens are good for small to medium sized gardens. Current theory is that a large, totally white garden is too overwhelming to the eye. Because of this, one strategy is to plant the white flowers casually throughout the garden (think of the informal “cottage style”). So, planting in large clusters is frowned upon. I agree that cramming in too many flowering plants isn’t good and creates a kind of “plant clutter” in the garden. However, I also don’t like being told what I “can and can’t do” in my own garden. So, I’d leave it up to your own personal tastes. And, when in doubt, ask your genius loci.
Here’s a plant list to consider (but be sure to keep in mind your zone, microclimate(s), soil conditions, etc. etc.):
-white roses (my favs are: "Delicate Lady," "Iceberg," "Moondance" and "Honor")
-white cosmos
-white periwinkle
-butterfly bushes (These come in white and purple. Make sure yours has white flowers on it when you buy it.)
-blackberry bush (My neighbor thought I was crazy because it can be invasive. But, I love blackberries!)
-daisies (Shasta daisies are cool!)
-coneflowers
-American Elderberry
-Pampas grass
Note: At my house, we have very sandy, slightly acidic soil. It drains very well—too well. And my neighbor’s tree casts dark shadows on the southwest side of my garden. So, I have to plant and plan accordingly. Mulch! Mulch! Mulch!
Plants that I would not recommend:
Bamboo---Very soon, your yard will be a bamboo forest. Go ahead and memorize some haikus if you’ve planted some already…
Four o’ clocks---You’ll never get rid of it, and your neighbors won’t either…
Ivy---I’ve been trying to kill off my ivy for the past three years… *sob*
Mint---This will take over your yard, too, if you’re not careful. You could grow this in containers.
Morning Glories---Yup, invasive as all get out…
Snow on the Mountain --- I've heard bad things about getting any part of this plant in contact with your eyes or nose.