Gardening can be addictive. It’s not unheard of for obsessive gardeners to keep at it until they look up and realize
they may need a flashlight to find their way back to the patio. It’s at this moment that we should all stop, take a deep breath, and look around at what we’ve accomplished. It’s a time to reflect and relax, and perhaps share your space with friends and family.

 Take a break, and spend some time enjoying your garden when the sun goes down. You might notice that your garden is a different world at night, when the insects and moths come out, an occasional bat swoops low, and flowers start to emit heavenly scents. You might think that it would be hard to appreciate your garden in
the dark because most of a garden’s beauty is visual. But with a few tweaks, you can make it a sensory experience that combines sight, sound, and scent. After all, when one sense is diminished, the others are heightened.

Sight

At night, it’s all about amping up the ambience. Enhance the mood of mystery by playing up shadows and reflections.

 
Install romantic lighting. For a perfect glow, use low-voltage lighting to softly illuminate walkways, and add subtle uplighting to highlight bold forms of trees and shrubs. String twinkle lights on your pergola or arbor for simple charm, and light candles in weather-resistant lanterns for a gentle, flickering light show.

 
Reflect the light. A well-placed gazing ball will multiply candlelight and fairy lights for a dazzling effect. Hang a mirror on a nearby fence or wall to reflect romantic lighting. Incorporate plants with white blooms and silvery foliage in your beds; they will add depth as they glow in the moonlight.

 
Create contrast. In a dim garden, bold forms and textures stand out. Plant distinctively shaped shrubs, trees with sinuous branches, and large-leaved perennials near seating areas, and feature bold artwork within sight of your evening hangouts.

Scent