Most of us go into our gardens in the mornings, after the sun is up and the dew has dried. Or we’re out on the patio for lunch or weeding on an overcast afternoon. We might give our beds a passing glance during a cookout.
Seldom do we think about appreciating the garden after sundown.
That’s usually when we’re busy with dinner, TV, meetings. But dusk is precisely when many flowers release their strongest fragrance, and the palest colors glow with an intensity not possible in daylight. If you want to get more out of your garden, consider an evening stroll. Some people plant “moon gardens” or all-white cultivars for admiring at dusk, but that’s not necessary.
It’s All About Color and Contrast
Walk through your garden just as evening approaches. (You might want to put on dew-proof shoes or if you’re like me, go barefoot.) Lighter-colored flowers stand out against the shadowy foliage in deep saturated tones. Lavender phlox turn blue. White flowers pop and glow. The whole look is entirely different. If you have large swaths of these paler shades, it can be quite magical.
Take a “Scentimental” Sniff
If you love fragrance like I do, you probably know twilight is the best time to enjoy those ethereal scents. Phlox, lilies, sweetshrub, spring viburnums, and panicle hydrangeas all release fragrance on warm summer nights. And just like a moth, I’m drawn in! Ideally, evening-scented plants should be planted where you can catch a whiff without traipsing through wet grass to get to them. Annuals like heliotrope and tobacco sometimes are also quite fragrant at dusk (but not all). Imagine these lilies and phlox smelling as intense as their colors look.
Consider lighting carefully
For plantings by your front door, deck, pool or patio, think about how you might use lighting to accent them, whether for summer parties or winter holidays. A beautifully lit home exterior can be truly stunning.
When we put in our new ground-level deck, we chose not to erect a railing. However, that meant embedding LED lights into the deck’s perimeter. Otherwise, the edges would be invisible at night and pose a safety hazard for guests. Small low-wattage LEDs emit a soft glow that accent the shrubbery as well as provide low-key lighting.
Hanging lanterns, drapes of party strings, solar pathway stakes and strategically placed spots can add mystery and drama to the night garden. Don’t miss an opportunity to elevate your favorite outdoor space to a new level of enjoyment.
Accent A Specimen
One approach is to bring attention to a just one feature. You could highlight a clump of birches or exfoliating cherry trees, for example. Or use downcast walkway fixtures that light up a groundcover’s intricate foliage. Fountains and waterfalls can be backlit. An interesting pot or patio plant can be silhouetted with lighting that is focused and discreet.
This might seem obvious but avoiding the “lit parking lot” glare from security lights and some floodlamps is easier said than done. Many LEDs today are significantly brighter, bluer, and more piercing than the incandescent bulbs they replaced. Equivalent lumens often produce much more intense results. The neighbors will not be happy, and neither will you. So be extra careful when replacing old bulbs.
Think Eco-friendly
Finally, consider motion sensor activation for whatever lighting you choose. It only works when needed, allowing the garden to remain dark when no one is present. This helps night-flying birds, bats and insects. The startle effect of motion sensors
turn-on helps deter deer. Sensors save electric and reduce light pollution. We replaced all of our outside fixtures with motion sensor models, and we love them. Light when we need it, not when we don’t. It’s a win-win.
Watch for Fireflies
The final thing I enjoy at dusk after watching for deer are the fireflies. If you have lots of them, count yourself lucky. We have some for a brief period in early summer, but not like the hordes I remember as a kid. Fireflies populations are on the decline and vulnerable, especially in suburbia. Yet we take them for granted or forget they’re even here. For the child in all of us, to watch a cloud of yellow-green sparks rise into the night is still a wonder.
Many parts of the US don’t even have fireflies. But Pennsylvania does, at least where the grass hasn’t been sprayed or treated. Let’s try to encourage their numbers. If youngsters at your house catch a few “lightning bugs” be sure they remember to release them. Explain that we need each one to flash their signal and find a mate! Keeping the night sky dark and avoiding lawn chemicals will help ensure they multiply and stick around for the next generation to catch and release.
The next time the dusk air beckons, take one last walk among your perennial beds and savor their scents and colors. It’s such a calm and pleasant way to end your day.
