A Beginner's Guide to a Moon Garden
Create your own moonlit haven, complete with scented flowering plants and garden decor that reflects the pale moonlight
Moon gardens (also called night gardens) are basically landscapes created to be enjoyed at night time, without the need to flood your backyard or terrace with a blaze of artificial light. As the sun goes down, the moon garden takes on a new dimension with the beautiful scent of night-blooming flowers, and an added bonus is the serene glow of stunning white flowers in the evening light.
Moon gardens are the perfect outdoor spaces to relax, meditate, or enjoy garden cocktails with friends and family under the moon’s shimmering light. Here is a guide to growing one in your own home.
Moon gardens are the perfect outdoor spaces to relax, meditate, or enjoy garden cocktails with friends and family under the moon’s shimmering light. Here is a guide to growing one in your own home.
Essential must-haves
A moon garden essentially consists of the following critical elements:
1. Scented and unscented flowering plants (preferably white)
2. White or bright foliage plants
3. Reflecting surfaces
4. White or bright garden decor
5. Musical elements like wind chimes
The key is to create a space that ensnares all the senses, by heightening the experiences of sight, smell, sound and touch in the garden.
A moon garden essentially consists of the following critical elements:
1. Scented and unscented flowering plants (preferably white)
2. White or bright foliage plants
3. Reflecting surfaces
4. White or bright garden decor
5. Musical elements like wind chimes
The key is to create a space that ensnares all the senses, by heightening the experiences of sight, smell, sound and touch in the garden.
Where to plant a moon garden?
Plant it in a space where you will enjoy it the most. For those with limited space, container gardening with the right plants and garden accessories works perfectly well to create the right atmosphere, and one can easily transcend the physical barriers of space and be transported into a self-created moonlit haven.
Let’s see what kind of plants we need for the perfect moon garden.
Plant it in a space where you will enjoy it the most. For those with limited space, container gardening with the right plants and garden accessories works perfectly well to create the right atmosphere, and one can easily transcend the physical barriers of space and be transported into a self-created moonlit haven.
Let’s see what kind of plants we need for the perfect moon garden.
Scented flowering plants
Chilean jasmine
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Mandevilla laxa
Origin: Argentina
Plant type: Climber
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and spreading
Signature traits: A scented climber with eye-catching funnel-shaped white blooms
Flowering period: All summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Chilean jasmine
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Mandevilla laxa
Origin: Argentina
Plant type: Climber
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and spreading
Signature traits: A scented climber with eye-catching funnel-shaped white blooms
Flowering period: All summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Orange jessamine
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Murraya paniculata
Origin: Asia and Australia
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Clusters of small, fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by bright reddish-orange berries in summer. Has an orange-blossom scent.
Great choice to attract bees, birds or butterflies to your garden.
Flowering period: Throughout the year
Suitable for pots: Yes
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Murraya paniculata
Origin: Asia and Australia
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Clusters of small, fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by bright reddish-orange berries in summer. Has an orange-blossom scent.
Great choice to attract bees, birds or butterflies to your garden.
Flowering period: Throughout the year
Suitable for pots: Yes
Clematis
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Clematis gouriana
Origin: India
Plant type: Climber
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and spreading
Signature traits: Greenish-creamy white tubular flowers
Flowering period: Throughout summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Night-blooming jasmine
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Cestrum nocturnum
Origin: India
Plant type: Shrub
Size: 2.4-4 metres (8-13 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Greenish creamy-white tubular flowers
Flowering period: Throughout summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Clematis gouriana
Origin: India
Plant type: Climber
Size: 2.4-3.6 metres (8-12 feet) tall and spreading
Signature traits: Greenish-creamy white tubular flowers
Flowering period: Throughout summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Night-blooming jasmine
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Cestrum nocturnum
Origin: India
Plant type: Shrub
Size: 2.4-4 metres (8-13 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Greenish creamy-white tubular flowers
Flowering period: Throughout summer
Suitable for pots: Yes
Unscented flowering plants
Rain lily
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Zephyranthes candida
Origin: South America
Plant type: Bulbous
Size: Up to 30 centimetres high and wide
Signature traits: Starry white flowers with dark green, narrow, clumping foliage
Flowering period: Late summer through to autumn
Suitable for pots: Yes
Rain lily
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Zephyranthes candida
Origin: South America
Plant type: Bulbous
Size: Up to 30 centimetres high and wide
Signature traits: Starry white flowers with dark green, narrow, clumping foliage
Flowering period: Late summer through to autumn
Suitable for pots: Yes
Bleeding heart
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Origin: West Africa
Plant type: Climber
Signature traits: White and scarlet flowers
Flowering period: Spring to fall
Suitable for pots: Yes
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Origin: West Africa
Plant type: Climber
Signature traits: White and scarlet flowers
Flowering period: Spring to fall
Suitable for pots: Yes
White or bright foliage plants
Plants like spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), song of India (Dracaena reflexa), and others like white fountain grass and silver dust can add some extra foliage and volume to your moon garden. Look for any plants which have a mix of white and green foliage or just a pale green foliage so that they can add to the night glow in the garden by reflecting the moonlight.
Plants like spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), song of India (Dracaena reflexa), and others like white fountain grass and silver dust can add some extra foliage and volume to your moon garden. Look for any plants which have a mix of white and green foliage or just a pale green foliage so that they can add to the night glow in the garden by reflecting the moonlight.
White fountain grass
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Origin: Asia and Australia
Plant type: Grass
Size: 0.75-1.5 metres (2.5 to 5 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Flowers are showy late summer into autumn and persist through winter
Flowering period: Late summer through to autumn
Suitable for pots: Yes
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Origin: Asia and Australia
Plant type: Grass
Size: 0.75-1.5 metres (2.5 to 5 feet) tall and wide
Signature traits: Flowers are showy late summer into autumn and persist through winter
Flowering period: Late summer through to autumn
Suitable for pots: Yes
Silver dust
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Centaurea cineraria
Origin: Italy
Plant type: Shrub
Size: 15 to 60 centimetres (0.5-2 feet)
Signature traits: Intricately cut, frosty-silver leaves producing a large, elegant arching mound.
Suitable for pots: Yes
Plant at a Glance
Botanical name: Centaurea cineraria
Origin: Italy
Plant type: Shrub
Size: 15 to 60 centimetres (0.5-2 feet)
Signature traits: Intricately cut, frosty-silver leaves producing a large, elegant arching mound.
Suitable for pots: Yes
Reflecting surfaces to admire the moon on water
The sharp, still reflection of the moon on water is beautiful, but it is the moon floating like a mirage on water rippled by the breeze that is especially enchanting. A reflecting pool in the form of a wide shallow water basin is perfect for truly bringing the moon into your garden. The effect is heavenly, especially on full moon nights.
Did you know:
The image of the moon reflected in water is called ‘suigetsu’ in Japanese, which is a poetic term for ‘water moon’. It is said that in Heian times (roughly the time period of 1100s), people admired the reflection of the moon in the washbasins and ponds in their gardens as a part of celebrating the Japanese autumn harvest moon festival.
The sharp, still reflection of the moon on water is beautiful, but it is the moon floating like a mirage on water rippled by the breeze that is especially enchanting. A reflecting pool in the form of a wide shallow water basin is perfect for truly bringing the moon into your garden. The effect is heavenly, especially on full moon nights.
Did you know:
The image of the moon reflected in water is called ‘suigetsu’ in Japanese, which is a poetic term for ‘water moon’. It is said that in Heian times (roughly the time period of 1100s), people admired the reflection of the moon in the washbasins and ponds in their gardens as a part of celebrating the Japanese autumn harvest moon festival.
White garden decor
Sculptures
Adding a classic white sculpture of a garden goddess like this will take your moon garden to the next level by creating drama. Arrange the planting and the sculpture in a way that creates a scene of its own.
Sculptures
Adding a classic white sculpture of a garden goddess like this will take your moon garden to the next level by creating drama. Arrange the planting and the sculpture in a way that creates a scene of its own.
Pictured here is another example of angel sculptures to bring about an otherworldly look to your garden.
White gravel
The beauty of white gravel is that it glows in the night light. It also provides a different tactile element in the garden. But be careful to not use too much of it as it can overpower the garden surface area.
The beauty of white gravel is that it glows in the night light. It also provides a different tactile element in the garden. But be careful to not use too much of it as it can overpower the garden surface area.
Musical effects
Wind chimes or bells, when activated by a breeze, can add a tinkling sound effect at night (and at daytime) adding a sound element to your moon garden.
Read more:
A Beginner’s Guide to the Japanese Tea Garden
Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
Tell us:
If you enjoyed this story, then like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join in the conversation.
Wind chimes or bells, when activated by a breeze, can add a tinkling sound effect at night (and at daytime) adding a sound element to your moon garden.
Read more:
A Beginner’s Guide to the Japanese Tea Garden
Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
Tell us:
If you enjoyed this story, then like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join in the conversation.
A moon garden is not new to the contemporary world. In the early 1500s, India’s Mughal emperor Babur created the ‘Mehtab Bagh’ (literally meaning ‘Moon Garden’). Later, his descendant Shah Jehan included it as a part of the Taj Mahal complex, across the river from the mausoleum: envisioned it as a moonlit pleasure garden from which to view the Taj. It featured night-blooming fragrant white flowers such as jasmine, narcissus and lilies. Moon gardens were also planted in medieval Japan, using white or pale-coloured rocks and sand. Pools of water were used to catch the shimmering moonlight and white chrysanthemums were planted.