The romance & enchantment of moon gardens goes back at least to Victorian times. It was traditional to plant a moon garden in the shape of a crescent moon, but today any space will suffice to produce the same effect.
What is a Moon Garden?
Simply, a moon garden is one that contains plants that will reflect moonlight. Plants with deeply coloured flowers and dark green foliage will absorb light, and wouldn't be found in a moon garden. Plants with primarily white or pale flowers, or those with silvery gray foliage, will reflect light. These are the ones you want to select for your moon garden.
For many types of plants, the ones with the palest flowers have the sweetest scent, especially in the evening. So in addition to the beauty of flowers & foliage glowing under the moon, you'll enjoy a wonderful fragrance as well.
Choose a location for your Moon Garden
Many moon garden plants require full or partial sun during the day, which usually means an open area away from trees or structures. This is the same requirement for evening light, when you want the moonlight to shine on your plants & make them glow.
Select your plants and layout
You can choose perennials that will come back every year, then include different annuals each year for a slightly different effect. A circular moon garden would be lovely with a tall perennial or climber in the centre, surrounded by shrubs, then smaller plants around the border. Include some herbs for their flowers, foliage and scent. See below for the selection in Simone's Garden.
Add elements to complete your Moon Garden
For the finishing touch, add some white elements to your moon garden. To relax & enjoy your new space, a white bench or chairs. If you've included any climbing plants, a white rustic or painted wrought iron trellis. White or pale hardscape such as stone border or stepping stones.
Perennial Moon Garden plants in Simone's Garden
Persicaria polymorpha, or Giant Fleeceflower
Persicaria polymorpha is the tallest white-flowered plant in Simone's Garden.
It features plumes of creamy white flowers which bloom throughout the summer.
The stems grow 3 to 5 feet tall, and have narrow dark green leaves.
Phlox paniculata 'David'
Another tall perennial in Simone's Garden, phlox 'David' grows up to 4 feet tall.
The pure white flowers bloom from mid to late summer, and are quite fragrant.
Achillea millefolium 'White Yarrow'
A mid-size perennial from Simone's Garden, yarrow grows 2 to 3 feet tall.
It has medium-green feathery foliage, and flat clusters of tiny white aromatic flowers. Each cluster can grow up to 5 inches across.
Yarrow blooms all summer, and is a great addition to your moon garden.
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Cerastium tomentosum 'Snow in Summer'
Low-growing Snow in Summer from Simone's Garden has white flowers & silvery-gray foliage that make it a perfect border for your moon garden.
It blooms profusely in late spring & early summer. The flowers themselves are almost like tiny stars, shining up at the moon in the evening light.
Annual Moon Garden plants in Simone's Garden
Baby's Breath 'Covent Garden'
Also known as Gypsophila, this elegant and airy annual from Simone's Garden is the perfect addition to your moon garden.
Poached Egg Plants
While not pure white, poached egg plant from Simone's Garden are pale enough to reflect the moon's light.
They grow to about 6 inches tall, and are perfect for a border.
Sage
Before flowering, Sage from Simone's Garden has lovely silver-gray leaves that will be a perfect fit for your moon garden.
Sage grows in clumps of about 1 foot across & tall. Keep pinching off the leaves for kitchen use to discourage flowering and keep the plant bushy.
Moon Garden plants coming soon to Simone's Garden
Perennials from left to right: Meadowsweet filipendula, Annabelle Hydrangea, and Iris 'Little White Tiger,' giving just a splash of colour for daytime interest.
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