Planning & Planting a Moon Garden by Marcella Shaffer

Author:Marcella Shaffer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 2000-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

A. ludoviciana ‘Silver King’

Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 8–10; grown as an annual elsewhere

PREFERENCES: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil.

There are many plants called dusty miller, but this tender perennial is the most common. Dusty miller grows in mounds that reach 12 to 24 inches tall. Its deeply cut, silvery gray, felted foliage is an eye-catcher in the moon garden. Some popular varieties include ‘Alice’, with silver-tinged leaves; ‘Cirrus’, with gray-green leaves; ‘Silver Dust’, with gray-white leaves; and ‘Silver Queen’, a compact variety with silver-white leaves.

Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 3–8

PREFERENCES: Plant in partial shade in moist, rich soil.

Magnificent ivory-colored feathery plumes of flowers adorn this perennial, which blooms in early summer, reaching nearly 5 feet in height and spreading 18 to 24 inches. Goatsbeard particularly striking in the twilight. Some popular varieties include ‘Kneiffii’ and ‘Zweiweltenkind’.

Hosta (Hosta spp.)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 3–8

PREFERENCES: Plant in dappled to deep shade.

Hosta foliage is not truly silver in tone, but its variegated nature and ribbed texture are wonderful in the moon garden at night and lush and attractive in the daytime. Width and height depend on the particular species and variety. The leaves of H. ‘Patriot’ have bold, vivid white borders, making it excellent for moon gardens. Another excellent choice for the moon garden is H. plantaginea, which features fragrant white flowers in late summer.

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 4–9

PREFERENCES: Plant in full sun to partial shade; prefers rich, well-drained soil, but will tolerate dry conditions.

Lamb’s ears makes a wonderful edging or border plant; it also does well in containers. It grows 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads yearly as a ground cover. Its flower spikes are insignificant compared to its soft, wooly, grayish-white foliage, which begs to be stroked. Plant lamb’s ears in a spot where it can easily be touched.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 5–8

PREFERENCES: Plant in full sun in dry, sandy soil.

Lavender’s gray-green foliage, delicate fragrance, and neat spikes of lavender-blue blossoms make it a natural for the moon garden. For colder climates, English lavender (L. angustifolia) is quite hardy; when heavily mulched and planted in well-drained soil, it can survive a pretty harsh winter. Lavender will remain in bloom from summer to fall.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

PLANT CYCLE: Perennial, Zones 3–9

PREFERENCES: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil.

Also known as azure sage, this shrubby perennial practically glows at dusk. Its purple-blue flowers are tiny but numerous in mid- to late summer, and its stems and leaves are a delicate silver-white. Cutting the plants back to the ground in spring will improve blooming.

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