In the height of summertime's heat, we drift outdoors at dusk to refresh ourselves in the cooler evening temperatures. Cricket songs and the glow of fireflies come together with ever-lengthening shadows to create a natural symphony that invigorates the body and gladdens the soul. As the sun sets, the vivid colors of most flowers and leaves fade, becoming a dull gray, but moon gardens provide us with a space to appreciate Mother Nature's bounty long after the light of day has retreated. Designed to be enjoyed from dusk until dark, these gardens serve as a perfect complement to silvery moonlight, mild summer nights, and the spirit of rejuvenation.

Most plants worship the sun, but a select few shrubs and flowers come into their own in the moon’s glow. The silvery leaves of lamb's ears and artemisia reflect the radiance of the moon, while the bright-white flowers adorning yucca and evening primrose seem to shimmer brilliantly in dusk's gloom. Certain blossoms, such as the moonflower and four o'clocks, open only at night, releasing their sweet fragrances along with spectacular displays of beauty. When creating a moon garden, remember to take all your human sense into account. Bamboo and thick grasses make a comforting sound when bandied about by gentle nighttime breezes.

Transforming a portion of your existing yard or patio into a moon garden is simple, and the pleasure is worth it. Green spaces come alive at night when nocturnal blossoms release their perfume into the air, and lovely and luminous foliage dances in the breeze. In a moon garden, relaxation is a simple matter of attuning yourself to the stillness of evening and seeing, perhaps for the first time, the myriad shades of beauty that can be found in the darkness.