“August was nearly over – the month of apples and falling stars, the last care-free month for the school children. The days were not hot, but sunny and limpidly clear – the first sign of advancing autumn.” Victor Nekrasov. “August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” Victoria Erickson. “August breeze— perched on the flame tree, a red-vented Bulbul.” Meeta Ahluwalia. “Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August.” Denise Levertov. “The month of August is a reminder that change is inevitable, but growth is optional.” Tony Robbins. “In the month of August, nature’s symphony is at its peak, reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us.” John Muir. “August is a month of abundance, where the fruits of our labor are finally ripe for the picking.” Paulo Coelho.

While you’ll find thousands of plants that look lovely in a night garden, select a few favorites with variegated foliage, light-colored blooms, and fragrant flowers to get you started. Select plants for a vibrant, fragrant night garden!

Example shrubs include Suntastic pink abelia which is a tidy compact Abelia with colorful hot flamingo pink-toned foliage, especially colorful in the cooler months. It’s blush pink foliage has creamy yellow margins for nighttime visibility with fragrant white tubular flowers from mid-summer-fall lends itself to a fragrant garden. Size is 2-3 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

And Sweet Star gardenia which blooms into late summer and early fall. Sweet Star® is covered in single flowers starting early May with excellent rebloom potential throughout summer. Then flowers are followed by pretty orange fruit. These nicely rounded plants stay very compact in habit. Size is 3-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.

Example perennials include Fire and Ice hosta which light up the night garden with a brilliant burst of fire! Named for the flame-shaped white centers of the leaves, this unique hosta variety produces pretty lavender flowers in late summer. You’ll find many variegated hostas to brighten your night garden. Size is 10 to 15 inches tall and 15 inches wide.

And the Casablanca lily will perfume your entire garden, adding a sweet-spicy fragrance. Pure white, colossal 8 to 10-inch blooms light up the night garden, reflecting moonlight while providing an intoxicating fragrance. Size is 36 to 48 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide.

Example annuals include Angelonia Alonia Big Bicolor Pink for an easy-to-grow annual to brighten beds or containers in the night garden. Drought-tolerant and low maintenance, this “summer snapdragon” will quickly fill garden spaces, reflecting the moon’s glow. Size is 14 to 16 inches tall and 12 to 14 inches wide.

Indian Peace pipe nicotiana is a lovely multipurpose plant. The tubular flowers attract pollinators by day, with the fragrance strongest in late afternoon and evening. The brilliant white flowers glow beautifully under a moonlit sky, but the plant looks terrific by day, too. Size is 4 to 6 feet tall and 24 inches wide.

And Sure Shot white petunia is a bright white with a light fragrance and the most prolific petunias for any garden condition! Their vibrant white blooms cover the plants, attracting bees and other pollinators to their lightly fragrant blossoms. Size is 8 to 10 inches tall.

Example vines include Susie White thunbergia with white petals (with hints of softest yellow toward the center), surrounding a bold black eye. and the blooms are very profuse, simply covering this 5 to 8 foot vine over a long early summer to frost season. Size is 8 feet tall.

Snow Storm clematis has pure white blooms as dreams become a reality. Enjoy an exceptionally long blooming season with cascading large, wavy flowers. Clematis Snow Storm creates a visual statement for your night-time garden. Size is 5 to 9 feet tall.

And Madagascar jasmine with clusters of pure white, tubular flowers that shine in moonlight, climbing trellises or fences. But you’ll want to plant this for the delicious fragrance—one of the reasons many florists chose to use it in wedding bouquets. Size is 15 to 20 feet tall.

If you have large, mature trees in your garden, consider adding an owl box. Not only will you enjoy watching your new feathered residents, but owls provide excellent rodent control, too. Check with the National Audubon Society to learn which owls reside in your area, then select the appropriate owl box to attract them to your garden.

Are you ready to create an inviting night garden to chase away the day’s stress? Surround yourself with beautiful, fragrant blooms and glowing plants to relax and enjoy your night-time retreat.

This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau (www.ngb.org/night-garden) .

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:20-21. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. When Jesus spoke again to the people,He said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17.