There’s something special about spending time in our outdoor spaces in the evening. It’s the relaxing antidote we need to a busy working week, so why not create a backyard, patio, balcony or garden that shines at night. Here’s how:
Let there be light
- Highlight your garden’s best feature using lights. There are lots to choose from including inexpensive low-voltage plastic ones, more luxurious sets and solar lights.
- Up-light any interesting features and trees, for example Snake-bark maple (Acer capillipes) or Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula).
- Other pretty trees that look great when they are under lit include
- Cercidiphyllum japonica (Katsura) and Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossi’
- Use spotlights in front of architectural plants such as Phormium tenax and Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’.
- Use candles, flares and tealights – there are lots of wonderful candle lanterns and tealight holders available now but you can also use old jam jars washed out.
- Plant white flowers that reflect the moonlight and candlelight, such as white foxgloves.
Eating out
Fire pits are all the rage but if you want to just keep warm and toast a few marshmallows, then braziers work well too.
Night scents
Plant with evening fragrance in mind, try:
- Scented lilies
- Ipomoea alba (Moonflower)
- Oenothera biennis (evening primrose)
- Matthiola bicornis (night scented stock)
- Zaluzianskya apensis (night phlox)
For everything you need to create a spectacular night garden, visit your local garden centre. You can find your nearest one here. Please follow all social distancing measures in place when visiting.