The warm nights of summer draw us into our gardens like the luna moths who share the darkness. This is the time of white flowers, glowing in the light of a full moon, candles, and softly lit lamps. These are 'moon gardens.' One of the greatest pleasures of a night garden is its sweet fragrance. Being shy in color, white flowers rely on their enchanting fragrance to attract pollinators.
The allure of an all-white garden isn't limited to the night. The famed white garden at Sissinghurst, created by Vita Sackville-West, remains one of the most enchanting gardens of all time.
A white garden consists, of course, of white flowering plants, offset with rich green foliage. To add a twist of contrast, some gardeners plant burgundy or chocolate leafed bushes or flowers.
Here are just some of the gorgeous creatures you can use for your own private Sissinghurst...
NOTE: Drought tolerant plants are marked with a "DT"
Fragrant plants are marked with an "F"
ROSES, always
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| New Dawn climbing rose |
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| Souvenir de la Malmaison, an old English rose F |
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| Sharif Asama, a David Austen rose F |
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| Pilgrim, another David Austen F |
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| Climbing white Iceberg rose |
PLANTS TO ATTRACTS BUTTERFLIES AND HUMMINGBIRDS
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| Chamomile |
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| Valerian DT |
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| White Hebe |
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| Salvia Waverly DT |
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| White Ceanothus F, DT |
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White Heliotrope (which smells like vanilla) F
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PLANTS FOR SHADE
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| Angel Wing Jasmine F |
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| Diamond Frost Euphorbia DT |
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Brugmansia F Caution: This plant is highly toxic
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| Hosta |
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| Spring Bouquet Viburnum F (Berries in winter also attract birds) |
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| South African Jasmine F |
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| Snowball Viburnum |
White Astilbe |
Marble Queen Coprosma
BURGUNDY & CHOCOLATE ACCENT PLANTS |
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| Blackbird Euphorbia |
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| Schwarzkopf Aeonium DT |
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| Berberis (Barberry) |
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| Cotinus. A small ornamental tree |
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| Phormium. DT. There are several burgundy varieties. |
