Dancing in the moonlight is a great way to spend a summer evening. Enjoying the glow of flowers lit up under the moonlight garden is another great way to spend a summer evening. Imagine doing both in your backyard! Enjoy a lovely evening with friends under the glow of the moon with flowers that glow in the dark.
Creating an inviting garden space includes considering all times of the day and all seasons of the year. Consider the impact of white flowers in the garden on a summer night; they illuminate the landscape even in the darkest hours.
Summer Moonlight Garden Ideas
A moonlight garden can be specific to one area in the garden. Plant a moonlight garden on a meandering path into your home. Enjoy the glow of flowers at night surrounding your patio and seating area. Space glowing blooms throughout the garden to add brightness at night. Whether you are planning a new garden or adding to existing spaces these plants are sensational for a summer moonlight garden.
Pretty Woman Orienpet Lily
Pretty Woman Orienpet Lily
Tall and stately. Pretty Woman Orienpet Lily reaches heights of 4-6′ when mature. The tall habit of this lily makes it a spotlight in the perennial garden or mixed garden border. Blooming in mid-summer with large up to 6″ diameter blooms, it sure will turn heads. The flowers are fragrant too! Therefore, the benefits of this perennial lily are vast. It will illuminate the garden at night while carrying its sweet scent through the yard. Pretty Woman Orienpet Lily is a must-have for any moonlight garden.
Plant Pretty Woman Orienpet Lily in full to part sun. Soil that drains well is the main requirement for lily bulbs. Orienpet Lilies are winter hardy in zones 4-9.
Crystal Clear Calla Lily
Crystal Clear Calla Lily
Calla lilies bloom with elegance and grace. White calla lilies are one of the most popular colors available; they are all well suited for a moonlight garden. Crystal Clear Calla Lily grows 12-16″ tall with a similar spread. The tidy and compact habit of this variety of calla lily makes it easy to fit into many garden spaces. Calla lilies are excellent for growing in pots, and Crystal Clear Calla Lily is our favorite calla lily for a moonlight container garden.
Grow calla lilies in full to part sun. Soil that drains well is important, be sure to keep the soil moist but not overly saturated. Calla lilies are winter hardy in zones 7-10 but can be grown in all hardiness zones during the summer months.
Peacock Orchids
Peacock Orchids
While these are not peacocks nor orchids they sure are unique and showy. Peacock Orchids are also known as Abyssinian Gladiolus and are related to traditional tall gladiolus. They have grassy-like foliage with star-shaped blooms. The fragrant blooms are white with a purple center. Peacock Orchids grow 10-18″ tall and form a clump, making them the perfect addition to a meandering moonlit garden path.
Plant Peacock Orchids in a full to part sun location. Soil that has excellent drainage is critical. Peacock Orchids are winter hardy in zones 7-10.
The Pearl Double Flowering Tuberosa
The Pearl Tuberose
Tuberose bulbs are some of the most fragrant summer flowers. The white star-shaped blooms appear on tall stalks 2 feet above the ground. The Pearl Double Tuberose would be an excellent choice for a garden path, as it is fragrant and will illuminate the path at night.
Plant tuberose in the ground in soil that drains well, in a full sun location. Tuberose are sensitive to cold temperatures and will need to be stored inside for the winter months in hardiness zones 3-8.
White Swirl Siberian Iris
White Swirl Siberian Iris
Siberian Iris bloom in early summer, after the traditional Bearded Iris, finishes blooming. White Swirl Siberian Iris has creamy buttery white blooms. The upright habit of Siberian Iris and grassy foliage help create a neat and clean look. Mix White Swirl Siberian Iris into the perennial border, they will glam up the nighttime with their white blooms.
Plant Siberian Iris in a full sun location. Siberian Iris like moist soil that drains well, the soil should not hold water. Upon establishing Siberian Iris in the garden be sure the soil is kept consistently moist.
White Gladiolus
White Gladiolus
Gladiolus are a traditional flower that is often seen in cut flower arrangements. White Gladiolus bloom 60-90 days after planting with pure white flowers. To increase the bloom time of gladiolus stagger the planting of the bulbs every 2 weeks. Gladiolus grow tall at least 3-4′ and are best suited for the back of a planting area. These white flowers are showy and will brighten up the nighttime landscape with their vivid blooms.
Plant gladiolus in full sun and soil that drains well for best results. Due to the tall flower stems gladiolus commonly need to be staked. When staking gladiolus it is best to do so as the bulbs are growing. Our Complete Guide to Growing Gladiolus has helpful tips to set you up for success when growing gladiolus bulbs.
Moonlight Garden of Glowing Flowers
Night lighting is helpful to illuminate garden paths and seating areas. Flowers can also help to brighten up outdoor spaces at night. Plant light-colored flowers, white flowers work best, but light yellow, pink and blue will also work to brighten the garden at night.
Don’t Forget About Spring Moonlight Flowers
Plant flowers that show up at night this fall for blooms next spring. Read more on the Best Moonlight Flowers that Bloom in Spring.
