The Daily OM–Experiencing Nature by Night

ExperiencingNature by Night
Moon Gardens

by Madisyn Taylor

A whole other world exists in thelight of a moon-filled night that few of us even notice.

In the height of summertime’s heat, we drift outdoors atdusk to refresh ourselves in the temperate air of evening. Cricket song and theglow of fireflies come together with ever-lengthening shadows to create a naturalsymphony of overlapping sensations that invigorate the body and gladden thesoul. As the sun sets, the vivid colours of most flowers and leaves fade,becoming a dull grey, but moon gardens provide us with a space to appreciateMother Nature’s bounty long after the light of day has retreated. Designed tobe enjoyed from dusk until the coming of the darkness, these gardens serve as aperfect complement to silvery moonlight, mild summer nights, and the spirit ofrejuvenation.

Most plant life worships the sun, but a select few shrubsand flowers come into their own in luna’s glow. The silvery leaves of lamb’sears and artemisia reflect the radiance of the moon, while the bright-whiteflowers adorning yucca and evening primrose seem to shimmer brilliantly indusk’s gloom. Certain blossoms such as the moonflower and four o’clock openonly at night, releasing their sweet fragrances in spectacular displays ofscent and beauty. While creating a moon garden, remember to take each humansense into account. We appreciate the ghostly beauty of nighttime nature bestwhen we can sit comfortably until our eyes have adjusted to the surroundingdarkness. Bamboo and thick grasses make a comforting sound when bandied aboutby gentle nighttime breezes.

Transforming a portion of your existing yard or patiointo a moon garden is simple, and the pleasure you will derive from yournighttime retreat will become worth it once you start to enjoy it. Green spacescome alive at night when nocturnal blossoms release their perfume into the airand ethereally lovely and luminous foliage dances in the breeze. In a moongarden, relaxation is a simple matter of attuning yourself to the stillness ofevening and seeing, for the first time, the myriad shades of beauty that can befound in the darkness.