An Easy-Care Moonlight Garden

One of my favorite past gardens was composed primarily of green plants with white flowers, and plants with silver or light gray leaves. It was planted simply because I happened to like the plant selection. One night as I sat on my porch steps, I realized that this garden practically glowed in the moonlight (and streetlight). Neighbors also stopped by to say they had noticed it all summer. This garden required practically no care from me because most plants were drought-tolerant, and bushy enough that they shaded out the weeds.

The following plants were in this garden:

1. Artemisias are silver-leaved with nondescript flowers. Their leaves may be wide and felt-like or very lacy and airy looking. Some have leaves that are grayish-green with a strong overlay of silver coloration, while others seem to be pure silver. Artemisias strongly prefer a dry, well-drained soil. There are many varieties available. Consider using these plants near a porch with a light or on a patio. Artemisia stelleriana (Silver Brocade) is lovely allowed to trail over the side of a raised bed or container. Silver Mound is an excellent mounding plant. I find it tends to become floppy during the course of the summer. Two other Artemisia cultivars that I love are Valerie Finnis and Powis Castle.
2. Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) makes a wonderful border-ground cover type plant. One cultivar is flowerless while others have tall spikes of purple flowers. Many growers cut the flower stalks off although I find them attractive to both bees and butterflies. The leaves are a very soft, felt-like material. In my neighborhood, the kids called this plant "Indian toilet-paper" although I never knew where they came up with this nickname. Crafts people dry the leaves for use in pressed flower pictures or dried arrangements.
3. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is another silvery, fine textured plant. Its leaves reflect available lights at night and the blue/purple flowers appear mist-like in the day. This is a plant that should be in everyone's garden and makes an excellent back of the border plant. It should be staked with a plant ring to help control its tendency to flop over.
4. Annual Flowers: White and pale yellow flowers are excellent in the evening garden since they reflect the most light. Among the annuals, look for any of the white or pale yellow Zinnias, white marigolds (Tagetes species available from Burpee), white or pale lavender or pink impatiens, and white begonias.
5. Perennial flowers: Hostas have variegated leaves and/or white flowers--both of which show up well at night. Several have white flowers. The white flowered obedient plant (Physotegia virgianana) is a good plant for the middle of your border.