Illuminating tips on creating an optimal moon garden

The secret is that you don't need a full moon or outdoor lighting to enjoy an evening garden, just three key elements.

Using plants that flower in different seasons will help keep this element in the foreground but a variety of silver or bright foliage will nicely complement the white flowers.

That might be a group of flowering gardenias or perhaps a moonflower morning glory climbing an arbor or fence.

-- Make use of non-plant design elements such as art, large rocks, gravel paths and arbors.

Spring-blooming shrubs such as the modest-size Bridalwreath spirea, Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile' or Choisya ternate offer clusters of pure-white flowers and the latter two a heavenly citrus fragrance.

For a shady ground cover, consider the charming golden foliage of Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea,' which really glows in the summer and fall moonlight.

For fragrance nothing beats the spicy fragrance of Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle,' which not only blooms in late winter but draws hummingbirds to your night garden.