A moon garden comes alive after dark, designed around white and pale blooms that seem to glow in low light.
Plants That Bloom or Open at Night
Moonflower and evening primrose actually open their blooms at dusk, timed to attract night-flying moths as pollinators. Four o'clocks are named for their habit of opening in late afternoon and staying open through the night.
Choosing White and Pale Blooms
White flowers reflect even faint moonlight far more effectively than colored blooms, which fade to gray or disappear entirely once the sun goes down. White cosmos, nicotiana, and white garden phlox all extend a nocturnal garden's visual interest well past dusk.
Adding Fragrance for the Evening
Many night-blooming and pale-flowered plants are also intensely fragrant after dark, since scent becomes their main way of attracting pollinators once visual cues fade. Night-blooming jasmine and nicotiana are especially known for their strong evening fragrance.
