If you are someone who likes to enjoy your garden in the evening, try designing a moon garden. This type of garden has a monochromatic theme. White and silver plants are used and when the sun goes down you will experience some magic when there is subtle reflected light from the moon. Soft music can boost the mood and if you have a firepit, the experience is even better.

A moon garden has no specific size or shape. They are designed to be seen in the moonlight as opposed to during the day. The more white or silver plants you use the better your garden will look. Make sure you look for plants that have a pleasing fragrance and textures. These plants will also attract all different types of night pollinators. When getting started plant annuals or use them in containers.  You can then add the shrubs and perennials on an ongoing basis as they take longer to establish.

According to, the Chicago Botanical Garden, one of the earliest known examples of a moon garden in the United States was designed by Benjamin Poore in Massachusetts. The garden had two 700-foot-long borders that were 14 feet wide and had white candytuft, daffodils, lilacs, lilies, and other white-flowered perennials and shrubs. He also accessorized the garden with a herd of white cattle, white pigeons, and a white dog.

Here are plants that you can consider adding to your Moon Garden:

Shrubs:

Hydrangea - Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs that grow in many colors and shapes. It produces large globes of flowers in spring and summer. They grow best in moist soil and heavy shade. Annabelle is the most popular white hydrangea. Another white hydrangea is Incrediball® whose larger flowers and sturdy stems help prevent them from flopping over.

Lilac – Lilacs are deciduous shrubs that bloom in mid to late spring depending on the species and variety. They have a wonderful fragrance that attracts pollinators. Madame Florent Stepman is a white blooming variety.

Weigela – Weigela are pretty flowering shrubs that are deer resistant. They also make excellent landscaping plants and work nicely in perennial and flower gardens. For best results with Weigela plant them in full sun. Weigela florida 'Variegata' offers green leaves edged in creamy yellow that turn white as the leaves age. ‘Czechmark Sunny Side Up’ features white flowers with a distinctive yellow center making this weigela a bright spot in the spring garden. 

Viburnum – Viburnums are a group of large-flowering shrubs, with some varieties reaching up to 20 feet. There are both evergreen and deciduous viburnums. In early spring the plant produces white or pink flowers. Viburnum opulus is the most common and has white flowers that are produced in large round clusters known as Snowball Viburnum. The leatherleaf viburnum has clusters of creamy white flowers in the spring.
 
Annuals:

Calibrachoa – Calibrachoa is a popular garden annual that looks like a petunia, but the flowers are smaller. The plant comes in a wide range of colors including white. They bloom continuously from planting to frost and look great in containers or hanging baskets alone or mixed with other plants. Kabloom™ White Calibrachoa has pretty white trumpet-shaped flowers with chartreuse throats. Cabaret® Bright White Calibrachoa is another white option. They are self-cleaning, so they stay neat and tidy all season long.

Caladium – Caladiums have bold foliage and are shade-loving. There are several white-colored caladiums. Try growing Aaron, Snow Drift, or White Christmas caladiums.

Dahlias – Dahlias are beautiful flowers that bloom and grow abundantly. They bloom from late summer through fall and hit their stride and the end of the growing season as most other plants are starting to fade. Dahlias make fantastic cut flowers. The America Dahlia Society (ADS) lists 20 different flower forms, each with its own unique characteristics. Two of our favorite white Dahlias are Snow Country and Fleurel.

Dichondra – Silver Falls Dichondra has attractive silvery trailing foliage. The plant grows from late spring to frost. It can be used as a groundcover or even better trailing in a container or hanging basket.

Euphorbia – Euphorbia has airy white flowers that bloom from late spring to frost. It makes a great annual bedding plant or can be used in containers.

Nicotiana alata - Nicotiana alata is an ornamental flowering plant that has a wonderful fragrance. It is also known as flowering tobacco or jasmine tobacco. It blooms from summer to fall. The plant needs warm weather and soil to thrive.

Sweet Alyssum – Sweet Alyssum has fragrant small white flowers. The plant’s fragrance has been described as similar to honey. The blooming season for the plant is usually from June to October. Re-blooming can be forced by cutting the flowers that are wilted. 

Perennials:

Artemisia – Artemisia is a shrubby perennial with silvery foliage. It is often considered an herb. Most of the species of this plant are scented and have a bitter taste. Use it to separate the white flowers in your moon garden. Hardiness zones 4-10.

Candytuft - Candytuft is a low-growing, flowering perennial plant that is hardy to Zones 3 – 9. The plant blooms in late April and May. The blooms are abundant and showy.  They have an intense fragrance that some people find too potent. 

Dusty Miller – Dusty Miller is a bushy flowering shrub with silvery gray, soft fuzzy lobed leaves.  The foliage looks like lace and has fine hairs and yellow flowers. The plant spreads rapidly and is used as a groundcover. Hardiness zones 7-10.

Hosta – Hostas are a shade-loving plant with bold textured leaves. It produces blooms on long stalks that extend well above the clumping foliage in late spring or summer. The foliage is the main attraction. Try growing White Feather for an all-white Hosta or one with variegated leaves that include white. Hardiness zones 3 – 9.

Lambs Ear – Lamb’s Ear has thick, fuzzy, silvery foliage that creates a soft-textured mat in the garden. The plants spread readily, making them effective groundcovers for sunny areas. It is deer and rabbit resistant. Hardiness zones 4 – 9.

Lily – Lilies are known as the “Queen of Flowers” because it is often used to represent royalty. They are known for their showy flowers. There are many different varieties, and some are fragrant. The most famous white one is the fragrant Oriental Lily Casa Blanca. Other white lilies are Oriental Lily Baferrari and Asiatic Lily Tiny Crystal.

Shasta Daisy – Shasta Daisies have pure white petals with a bright yellow center. The flower petals come in single, double, quilled, and fringed forms. They bloom from spring to fall and can grow from 3 to 4 feet depending on the variety. Hardiness zones 5 – 9.

Yarrow – Yarrow is known for its toughness. It can take cold winter and hot dry summers. The plant has tall stems with fern-like foliage topped with clusters of small delicate flowers. While they come in many colors, white and cream were the original flower colors. It is known as an aromatic herb and has many healing properties. Hardiness zones 3 – 9.

Besides the flowers and plants, there are garden accessories you can add to enhance the mood.  Here are a few to consider

• Lighted candles on tables if you are entertaining in the evening to add to the moonlit atmosphere.
• A fountain or small water feature
• Solar or low-voltage outdoor lights to light up walkways and steps.
• Outdoor speakers for some music
• Citronella or lavender candles to keep mosquitos away

Be sure to check out Proven Winners Moon Garden Pinterest Board with more plant ideas. 

Photos courtesy of Ball Seed, Proven Winners, Growing Colors, and Westhoff Flowers.