These days there are more demands on our time than ever before. For the gardener, a hectic schedule leaves little occasion to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Nightfall, however, is when the peace finally sets in. The busy day is done, and it is, at long last, time to relax. The serenity of the evening lends itself to the quiet admiration and appreciation of the garden—a perfect way to end the day.
Thoughtful Planning
Although it is dark, if planted thoughtfully, the twilight or moon garden will glow when nightfall arrives. White flowering bulbs, interspersed amongst other garden plants, will reflect the star shine and moonlight to illuminate the garden for your nighttime enjoyment.
- Seek out vacant spaces for planting in your ornamental gardens, landscape beds, and even your lawn.
- Take note of how these particular places will be observed most frequently, such as from a driveway, walkway, window, deck, porch, or patio.
- Examine existing nearby garden plants for their early-season height to be sure that the brilliance of your moonlit blooms will not be overshadowed.
- Select an array of white bulbs that will bloom at various times throughout the spring season.
Careful Selection
Other pale blossoms, such as pink and yellow, will also glimmer in the moon’s shine, but, by far, pure white or creamy-white blooms are the best for evening viewing. Fall-planted, spring-flowering bulbs are the perfect fit for the twilight garden, not only for their luminosity but for their ease of planting, minimal maintenance, and longevity. Add bulbs with fragrance, and you’ve hit the jackpot!
An enduring selection of spring-blooming, white-flowering bulbs include:
Early Spring
Common Snowdrop (Galanthus)
- 8″ – 10″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Not Fragrant
Crocus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ (Crocus spp.)
- 3″ – 6″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Not Fragrant
Daffodil ‘Abba’ (narcissus)
- 12″ – 16″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Fragrant
Dwarf Iris ‘Polar ice’ (Iris reticulata)
- 4″ – 8″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Fragrant
Glory of the Snow ‘Alba’ (Chionodoxa)
- 5″ – 10″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Not Fragrant
Siberian Squill ‘Alba’ (Scilla)
- 3″ – 5″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Fragrant
Tulip ‘White Marvel’ (Tulipa)
- 12″ – 14″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Not Fragrant
Mid-Spring
Checkered Lily ‘Alba’ (Fritillaria)
- 12″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Not Fragrant
Daffodil ‘Mount Hood’ (Narcissus)
- 12″ – 14″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Fragrant
Grape Hyacinth ‘White Magic’ (Muscari)
- 6″ – 8″ tall
- Front of the border or walkway, rock and woodland gardens, lawn
- Fragrant
Hyacinth ‘Carnegie’ (Hyacinthus)
- 7″ – 11″ Tall
- Borders and beds
- Fragrant
Tulip ‘Mondial’ (Tulipa)
- 8″ – 12″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Fragrant
Late Spring
Allium ‘Giant White’ (Allium)
- 40″ – 48″ tall
- Back of the border
- Not Fragrant
Daffodil ‘Thalia’ (Narcissus)
- 12″ – 14″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Fragrant
Dutch Iris ‘Alaska’ (Iris x hollandica)
- 18″ – 20″ tall
- Beds and borders
- Not Fragrant
Snowflake ‘Gravetye Giant’ (Leucojum)
- 18″ – 24″ tall
- Borders and Beds
- Not Fragrant
Spanish Bluebells ‘White City’ (Hyacinthoides)
- 8″ – 10″ tall
- Borders and beds, woodland garden
- Not Fragrant
Tulip ‘White Parrot’
- 18″ tall
- Borders and beds
- Not Fragrant
Plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall; it’s as easy as Dig. Drop. Done. At the end of the day, when the weather finally breaks after a long winter, you will finally be able to relax in the evening and enjoy the illustrious fruit of your labor.
