Design for a Moon Garden

A comfortable bench beckons visitors to sit and enjoy cool evening breezes.

There is something quite magical about a garden at night. To truly appreciate it, you have to sit down and let the worries of the day fade for at least 10 minutes until your eyes adjust to the dark. Light colors and white take on a new glow, and many blooms appear to float because the green stems and leaves fade into the darkness. What¿s more, the lighter colors of variegated plants become more pronounced in the evening.

Although a moon garden is often conceived as a summer garden, don't neglect plants that can be enjoyed in other seasons. Plants with interesting architectural form, such as the Harry Lauder's walking stick in this garden, offer interest even in the dead of winter.

Night-blooming moonflowers are among the showiest blooms in this garden.

Night-bloomers such as moonflowers, four-o'clocks, and angels' trumpets, add their own unique qualities to the garden; their fragrances attract night pollinators. Sound is another element to consider. At sunset, when temperatures cool and breezes whip up, there's nothing quite like the swishing foliage of grasses, bamboos, and even pine trees as they flutter in the wind.

One of the most important components of a moon garden is a place to sit and take in the view. You can put a chair in the middle of the garden or place a bench along the perimeter. There is no right or wrong spot; just make sure it's comfortable. No matter how good that wrought-iron love seat looks, it won't get much use without cushions to soften the perch.