I am fairly new to gardening (about a year) and have taken a serious interest in a a moon garden. I've done some light research but have been disappointed that many of the flowers are outside zone 5.

Now I don't know how wise it is to stray from your zone but my guess is there is some room for movement. Can anyone make any suggestions on what I can plant for a succesful moon garden? Both perennials and annuals are fine.
Thanks!

P.S. don't know if this matters but I'm in the city of Chicago and about 5 miles from the lake.

I have more sun than shade and thought I'd have to get full sun plants. If I did do full sun plants, say tall thick ones, then could I put shade plants below them?

Thanks again!

But my 4 o'clocks open at 7:oo o'clock. Perhaps they will be better tomorrow? Hope so!

Smelly Cat40, your my neighbor. I live in Andersonville and have THE garden on the block.

So my neighbors say....... Love to show it off if your ever interested.
Don't know much about Moongardens but now I'm getting curious. they are selling a night blooming jasmine at Fertile Gardens on Diversy near Ashland

I know that would belong in a Moongarden!! Idon't however know if it's hardy in our area. Now I'm really getting curious about that too! I'll do a search on the Web to see what zone it is.

I grew up with 4 o'clocks in this very same garden and it was my experience that they self seeded. They came back every year just like clockwork. ha ha

Anyway neighbor I'm pretty versed in gardening having done it now for over thirty years (started young).

So if I can offer my help of any knowledge I may have I'd be happy to.
Good Luck with the Moongarden,

I may do some research for you. See ya,

John S

I'm in zone 5, central Ohio, and these days I'm savoring Royal Standard hosta, flowering nicotiana, and a 25' sweet autumn clematis.

It's hard to come indoors at night, much less close the windows!

white oriental lilies like casa blanca
nicotiana, syvestris, alata, heaven scent
white heliotrope
daphne, carol mackie
sweet autumn clematis
night blooming phlox
night blooming stock
hosta, plantaginea, guacamole, aphrodite, venus, fragrant bouquet, Diana Remembered, Fried Bananas
Night blooming jasmine (not hardy)
gardenia (not hardy)
sweet alyssm
azalea northern lights (white)
daffodils, mount hood, and double white variety
gladioulus, white (not fragrant)
bouncing bet (soap wart)
white clover
honeysuckle
clematis, Henri (not fragrant)
rose, John F Kennedy (white hybrid tea rose)
snow drops (not fragrant)
hyacinths (large white)
yellowwood trees
privet (for enclosure)
lily of the valley
white lilac
white hardy hibiscus
white crocus (not fragrant)
white wisteria
white petunias
wall flowers (bienniel) yellow
White peony
day lily ice carnival
rose iceburg (standards) and climbing iceburg
white sweet pea
white birch trees
fringe tree
abelia
lambs ears (not fragrant)
magnolia (timeless beauty) over winter this in unheated sunny room or garage
mock orange, minnesota snowflake
white garden phlox, davidi
white pansy (not fragrant but look great in moonlight)
star magnolia
butterfly ginger (over winter tubers inside)
white lily of the nile (not fragrant)
white lupin
gas plant
clematis, duchess of edinburg (double white)
white stock, excelsior
white poppies
moonflowers
white datura
white brugsmansia
goatsbeard
queen anne's lace (not fragrant but beautiful)
white double impatients (not fragrant)
white astilbe (not fragrant)
white dahlias (not fragrant, overwinter tubers inside)
white centurea
white hollyhocks (not fragrant)

this should get you going on plant ideas for your moongarden next year!
Heather

I too have a yen for a Moon Garden, and have had for some time. I have a similar dilemma. Sun or Shade. I could do either but would love to have it all. hehehe. I do plan to plant in the sun and add under story shade plants beneath taller plants and under vines. I have already been collecting plants for this garden. I just need to decide WHERE I want to put it. I also have an in ground statuary type fountain that is white that I plan to add to it as well as a small water garden. That will mean 'white blooming water plants'. OH, and don't forget the bench! Unless you are lucky enough to be able to plant it very near a patio or porch, you will need somewhere to sit and enjoy it. Perhaps under one of the arbors for the vines ...?!

:)

Boy, Heather has really nailed down a good list for you. I would add

Siver Lace Vine
Irises in various heights and varieties (Dwarf germans bloom before the intermediates and the talls bloom last of the bunch - this will extend your season, at least with the German - aka beared, Irises)
Artemesia (silver types - my plan for a subtle 'enclosure')
Glads
Ghost Fern
Calla Lily (winter indoors)
Caladium (there are some great looking whites - not hardy and I've never had much luck in over wintering them - I use them as annuals)

Annuals will make great 'filler' for the periods when the perennials are 'napping'. Again, any white blooming or silver foliage will work. Scented varieties are of the utmost value. I usually tour the garden centers and nurseries to see what is in stock and inexpensive. I figure the scent comes mostly from my perennials, annuals will make it look full throughout the season.

In my mind, any plant that has at least one of the three basic ingredients for a Moon Garden (scent- in white blooms or silver foliage of course, white blooms only, silver foliage - only) will work for me. Of course the 'best' ones would have all three elements AND bloom at night.

Geez, I can be long winded. Hope this has helped. I know I want to go out there and start digging on my own Moon Garden now. I think I may have just talked myself into a spot for it while I was chatting with you!

Stardust

I have always been extremely fond of Datura. They are nocturnal, but they don't close up at the first ray of dawn. Some are extremely fragrant. There are several different species and cultivars to choose from. Colors range from pure white to cream and pale yellow. There are lavenders and whites with purple edges and throats. They have large, upfacing, trumpet shaped flowers. They are a herbaceous perennial in warmer climates and a reseeding annual in the colder zones.

I liked the suggestion of Veronicastrum virginicum (culvers root). The tall white flower spikes seem to glow in the moonlight. Same goes for Aruncus dioicus (goats beard).

Vera