Night Gardens

Have you ever considered just what happens in your garden at night? Sure you might fret about animals that eat the fruit and vegetables but I am referring to the flower gardens. The gardens that are solely there for the benefit of our senses. One of the most tantalizing gardens is a night garden, one where the true beauty can only be experienced after sunset and well into the evening. Years ago, I had such a happy little place as this and I am collecting plants to create another. I still have a few tubers of Four-O-Clocks that are a wonderful addition to any garden but especially in the night garden. They fill the evening air with wonderful aromas and bloom all summer long with very little care. These beauties come in a wide range of colors and once established will reappear for years to come. Make sure to plant the seeds in a place that does not need to be disturbed as they will make a tuber after the first year.

White flowers of any kind are a must in the night garden. They literally shine in the moonlight when all colored flowers seem to disappear into the darkness. Lilies, Jasmine and Gardenias will all add a splash of brilliance plus wonderful scents to this space. If there is some sort of support, a fence or trellis, the Moon-flower vine is definitely a "must have" plant. This vine produces very large blooms that resemble the Morning Glory in shape. The buds themselves have a beautiful spiral to them and they open into seven inch blooms in the late afternoon. Moon-flower vines are annuals so be sure to save a handful of seeds for the next year. (Use care when handling the seeds though, they are toxic.)

For those with a more exotic taste, there is always the Night-blooming Cereus. This is a tall succulent plant that produces buds along the edge of the leaves. These buds take a week to mature to blooming stage but are well worth the wait. The blooms are huge with a multitude of petals that open to fill the entire garden with incredible fragrance. With proper care the Night-blooming Cereus can get quite large and be covered with many, many blooms. Last year, my plant had eighty-seven of these massive blooms at one time. The blooms only last one night but I do recommend this plant just for the sheer "wow" effect. It is that amazing. This plant is not cold hardy and should be moved indoors during the winter months.

A couple of last notes about night gardens. I do advise that the garden plot is placed near the house so that it can be enjoyed on many evenings. Next to the entry, by a deck, near a porch would be perfect. Another tip is to mark pathways with stepping stones or gravel that will shine in the moonlight so as to keep artificial lighting to a minimum. Small path lights that are unobtrusive might suffice when the moon is not cooperating. Water features add another nice bit of ambiance as will a seating area. Happy night gardening!