It'll be all white on the night
By Margaret Griffin
Night time is the right time to enjoy a garden of bright whites, fragrant blooms and a comfortable seat.
With the long summer evenings coming, we all try a spend more time outdoors, relaxing in the calming environment of our gardens. One of the most romantic garden beds is a moon garden. This is becoming a very popular style as your garden bed rewards you at night, when you are most often at home.
Moon gardens are special gardens designed to be seen at dusk and into the night. It may be a garden designed for a stroll or a garden designed to be viewed from a conservatory or patio. Add a bit of outdoor lighting to guide you down a path or up light an interesting small tree.
Solar lights are versatile and they are never quite as bright as electric but cast a pleasant warm glow.
1. To create you moon garden, first choose the location. Ensure it is a position that you and your visitors will enjoy while also reflecting the moon or uplight it with solar lights.
2. Chose a selection of shrubs and plants that will bring a white glow to your garden through out the year. Below is an extensive list that can be included in your moon garden. Consider height and tier these plants, the result will be magical as if the white blooms are floating at night.
3. Make use of design element such as gravel paths, arbours or large stones.
4. Consider artificial light source such as solar lights, lanterns, candles or water features.
5. Install piece of art or mirror. I love garden mirrors in the right place to reflect the moon.
6. Choose the correct piece of furniture. A white rocking chair or why not paint your garden bench white?
7. Looking for extra height or a feature? Concrete urns and pedestals filled with white fragrant plants will complete the look. ~
What to plant is all down to space and can include borders, containers, hanging baskets or a combination of all of them.If you have space, a real feature tree would be a Cornus China Girl.
There is an array of great climbers for the back wall of your white themed garden including Clematis Alba, jasmine or climbing hydrangeas to name a few.
Light grey pots or concrete urns will be the best for this theme. White foxgloves thrives in pots and create height for a tiered effect. Once again foxgloves are used throughout the themed gardens of Chelsea to create height and elegance.
Another great option is a pillared Sundaville. For lower containers, choose from white busy lizzies, pansies and diascia.
These are the perfect illuminating plants with which to fill your border. The white border plants are key to this theme and Griffins grow a large array of pure white plants to choose from.