As the sun dips below the horizon earlier each evening, our gardens take on a new, ethereal beauty. This is the perfect time to consider creating a moon garden, a space designed to be enjoyed under the soft glow of the moon. And what better way to bring this magic closer to home than with thoughtfully designed window boxes and planters?

Moon gardens are all about embracing the night. They rely on plants with white or pale-colored flowers and foliage that reflect moonlight, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. In October, with its clear, cool nights, the effect is particularly captivating.

Choosing Your Moon Garden Plants:

When selecting plants for your nocturnal containers, consider these key characteristics:

• White or Pale Flowers: These are essential for reflecting moonlight.
• Night Fragrance: Many plants release their strongest scents at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators and adding to the sensory experience.
• Silvery or Light-Colored Foliage: These leaves also reflect moonlight, adding texture and depth to your garden.

Perfect Plants for Moonlit Containers:

• White Petunias: These classic flowers are readily available and bloom profusely, releasing a sweet fragrance at night.
• Moonflower (Ipomoea alba): As the name suggests, these large, white flowers open in the evening and release a powerful fragrance. They are vining, so a small trellis or support in a larger planter is advisable.
• White Alyssum: This low-growing plant produces clusters of tiny white flowers with a honey-like scent, perfect for filling gaps and spilling over the edges of your containers.
• Silver Mound Artemisia: This plant's silvery-gray foliage provides a striking contrast to the white flowers and adds a soft, textural element.
• Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina): The velvety, silver-gray leaves of lamb's ear are particularly beautiful in moonlight.
• White Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco): Nicotiana releases it's sweet scent at night, and the white varieties glow in the dark.

Designing Your Moonlit Containers:

• Layering: Combine taller plants like moonflower or white nicotiana with lower-growing plants like alyssum and lamb's ear to create depth.
• Contrast: Use plants with different textures and foliage colors to create visual interest.
• Fragrance: Prioritize plants with strong night fragrances to enhance the sensory experience.
• Location: Position your window boxes and planters where they will receive ample moonlight. A patio, balcony, or even a windowsill facing the moon are ideal locations.
• Lighting: Consider adding subtle, warm-toned outdoor lighting to highlight your moon garden. Avoid harsh, bright lights that will detract from the natural moonlight.
• October additions: With it being October, consider adding white pumpkins, or white ornamental gourds to the planters for added seasonal decoration.

As the days shorten and the nights grow longer, your moon garden will become a sanctuary of tranquility, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and connect with the magic of the night. So, grab your gardening gloves, embrace the moonlight, and create a nocturnal oasis that will delight your senses and soothe your soul.