Moonlight Gardens is an excellent way to showcase your house when you do not have full sunlight. The light flowers on dark foliage shine out and give a more dramatic effect because they do not blend into the foliage when the sun has passed. If you have a part sun situation, you want to use blooms that are layered or two-toned. For instance, the Chiffon Encore Azalea. This shows up when being hit directly by the sun, but gives the same white illusion as the sun is passing. You would also want to use plants that have different colored foliage on new growth or integrate shrubs that have variegated foliage. Examples include a Variegated Pieris or Radiance Abelia. Plants like these will keep a shady area from looking too dark and keep the plants from blending in as one. Lastly, layer perennials in front that have silvery foliage. These will give a shimmery appearance, and help to create depth and texture within the landscape.
Below are the designs and plants I used for my most recent moonlight garden. Each side of the house had a different sunlight requirement. In addition, there were existing plant materials that I had to mimic or replicate. Actual installation photos will be uploaded soon.
- Radiance Abelia
- Blushing Bride Hydrangea
- Feather Falls Sedge
- Encore Azalea ‘Chiffon’
- ‘Moutain Fire’ Pieris
- Moonlit Lace Viburnum
- JC Raulston Hardy Viburnum
- Dark Vader Pulmonaria
- Jack Frost Brunnera
- October Magic White Shi-Shi Camellia
- Hellebore…. color and head orientation of choice
