A number of years ago, I was working with a client who was a night nurse. She worked only nights and slept during the day. She told me that she wanted to enjoy her patio garden on the nights she was off and in the early morning hours when she got home. However, she didn’t want to spend money on flowers such as daylilies or hibiscus that open during the day and have no show at night.

Little did she know, there are many plant species that shine at night. Utilizing these varieties is called moon gardening. It’s the idea of planting flowers that open at night rather than in the daytime. Now, if you’re not a night owl, don’t fret; you can still add a few to your garden without missing out. Most of these species begin to open at dusk and can be enjoyed until the following morning.

One of my favorite night-blooming plants is the moonflower, also known as the tropical white morning glory. This night bloomer is a fast-growing climbing vine that can reach up to 15 feet tall if properly supported. However, if planted in a pot with a 4 to 5-ft. trellis, it can be kept under control very easily. The flowers pop open in a matter of minutes as the sun begins to set. Highly fragrant, they make a great addition near a patio set or seating area.

The night-blooming cereus is another great addition to your moon garden. While it doesn’t bloom as often as the moonflower, the large, extraterrestrial-like flowers are well worth the trade-off. This jungle cactus is very easy to propagate, and once established in a pot, it can be shared with friends and neighbors. The flowers start to open around 8 or 9 p.m. and continue until around midnight, then wilt, close and die off by the first rays of sunlight the following morning.

Night-blooming jasmine and butterfly gingers are wonderful as structural plants, though they can get rather large. Both provide an intoxicating fragrance in the evening as temperatures begin to cool. One thing I always look forward to when our ginger starts to bloom is finding the hummingbird moths nectaring on the flowers in the early evening.

Whether you’re a night-shift worker looking to unwind or simply someone who loves sitting outside after dark, a moon garden lets you create a beautiful, fragrant space that comes alive when the sun goes down. It’s an easy and rewarding way to extend the enjoyment of your garden well into the evening hours. Start small with just a few of these plants and watch your nighttime patio transform.