6 Container Plants That Flower at Night to Lift Your Patio For Late Summer Evenings
The sights and scents of these evocative evening blooms will tantalize your senses as you dine outside
Celebratory dinners or midweek meals that turn into balmy evenings under the stars are part of the summer fun. Setting the scene for these enchanting evenings outside is about ambience, from soft lighting and convivial company to chilled tipples and tasty nibbles. However, whether it's a group gathering or dinner à deux, you can enhance the mood with your plant choices.
From pretty plants that bloom at night or glow under the moonlight to fragranced flowers that release their scent when the sun goes down, there's a plethora of plantings that come alive in the evenings. Choosing these species can create a more sensory space for you and your guests.
Discover the favorite flowers of professional gardeners and landscape designers. Each of these plants would be suitable for a set of containers like these pots in three sizes from Lowe's.
1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Most of us plant gardens with a view to enjoying them during the day and give little thought to how they may look in the evening. However, a few extra containers with mindful planting in strategic places can make a dramatic difference to a patio or terrace, creating a more immersive evening experience.
'When you are wanting a garden to dazzle under the stars, start with moonflower, which is known for blooming prolifically at night,' says Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass.
'It is the best surprise to see a flower open up in the dark as opposed to the other flowers blooming during the day. The white blooms are large, and the flat petals just glow in the dark.'
Moonflower is a vine and can get quite tall and wide, so make sure you plant it in a container that is large enough and has a trellis (or something to attach it to), like this metal obelisk from Lowe's, which can be adjusted according to the height of your plant.
'Since moonflowers are so mystical, I recommend making this plant the focal point in a night garden,' says Laura. 'Surround it with containers of flowers that also illuminate well under the moonlight.
'A monochromatic white palette of different textures, such as Angelonia or Lantana, with plants with silvery foliage, like Dusty Miller for contrast, would work and will help the white flowers stand out.'
If you don't already have this plant in your yard, these Moonflower seeds from Lowe's can be started indoors and planted out next spring after the last frost.
Laura Janney is a renowned landscape architect and designer, and CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. Laura works with flowers in her signature style, using color, texture, and movement to evoke emotion and create unique spaces.
2. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
The way some plants come alive in the evening is through scent – and for this reason, growing gardenia is a favorite for many. Filling patio or balcony containers with these pretty flowers, which release their fragrance after dusk, will enrich evenings outside.
'Scented flowers are a must for evenings outside,' says Laura. 'With such a delicate and intoxicating aroma, gardenia will elevate a night garden to another level.
'The strong scent of this flower will make people want to linger a little longer under the stars. If you can get it in tree form, it's a wonderful way to use vertical space.'
This frost-proof gardenia from Plant Addicts is suitable for zones 7-10 and will reach 3-5' tall and 3-4' wide. Plant it near entryways or in pots by patio seating areas to enjoy its fragrance.
3. White Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)
Planting up pots of white nicotiana – another lovely fragrant summer flower – is a wonderful option to bring verdant vibes to a patio or terrace at night. Not only will its pale petals stand out against the darkness, but its fragrant flowers will make their presence known.
'This is one of my favorite plants for evening containers because its sweet fragrance becomes noticeably stronger after sunset,' says landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn Living.
'I’ve often used this in my own borders, as well as in clients' gardens. Like many white-flowering plants, the blooms seem to glow in low light, making patios and balconies feel more magical and special after dark.'
Plant nicotiana in a large container near an outdoor dining table, seating area, or entry where the fragrance can be fully appreciated.
'Be mindful that it’s a tall annual, so you could use a “filler” and “spiller” with it to help it feel balanced in a container arrangement,' adds Kat. 'It could be paired with silver foliage or other white-flowering plants, such as sweet alyssum, for a calming, moonlit palette.'
These lovely glazed ceramic pots from Lowe's would have ample space for a container arrangement with a thriller, filler, and spiller.
Landscape designer Katherine "Kat" Aul Cervoni is the founder and principal of Staghorn Living. Kat creates outdoor spaces that become natural extensions of a home’s interior. A member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, she also mentors young plant enthusiasts and upcoming designers.
4. Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo'
Some small flowers close up in the evenings, but this doesn't happen with the big blousy blooms of hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo'. These soft white pom poms will be as visible and vibrant at dusk as they are at dawn. For this reason, they are a favorite for Kat.
'While not fragrant or night-blooming, 'Bobo' is exceptional for its large white flower heads that continue to stand out long after sunset,' says Kat. 'The blooms almost reflect the remaining light, making them one of my favorite plants for extending visual interest into the evening.
'It's the perfect panicle hydrangea for containers since it stays compact. Although these plants can still grow up to three feet high and wide, I recommend using a substantial container to anchor a seating area or frame an entrance with one (or two) of these beauties.
'Add a warm spotlight at the base of the planters to make the blooms glow after dark.'
This 'Bobo' Hydrangea from Nature Hills is cold-hardy and thrives in zones 3-9. This small solar light from Lowe's provides a soft, warm light in the evenings and could be placed in the base of a container.
5. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
As outlined by Kat already, white sweet alyssum makes a fabulous "filler" or "spiller" in patio pots with other night garden plants. It's dense, so will fill gaps, yet it can also cascade softly over container edges of pots, depending on how it's planted.
'Sweet alyssum has a gorgeous, delicate honey-like fragrance that becomes more noticeable as the evening air cools,' says Kat. 'Its masses of tiny white flowers brighten containers and soften hard edges.
'I like using it as a trailing "spiller" around larger statement plants to create a layered, romantic look. Again, be sure to position containers of sweet alyssum along walkways or beside seating areas so you’ll be near enough to enjoy its wonderful scent.'
These Alyssum seeds from Burpee can be sown outside from next spring, if you want to plan for next summer.
6. Lantana
White flowers that open, or stay open, at night and appear to illuminate the evening look lovely in a moon garden. However, plants don't need to have white petals to be noticed in low light.
The tutti-fruity colors of lantana, with their pink, yellow and coral flowerheads, continue to bloom at night, releasing a stronger citrus scent in the evening and creating a beautiful backdrop. This plant flowers for months, and the colors even change as it matures.
'Lantana makes a wonderful filler for containers in a moon garden,' says Laura. 'It's hardy and drought-tolerant, with clusters of small blooms that fill a pot beautifully. The pretty colors stand out, while the white variety will glow.'
The flame-colored flowers of this Lantana from Lowe's will brighten late summer evenings. Be mindful that lantana is considered invasive in some parts of the US, so this plant is best enjoyed in pots.
Shop Beautiful Pots
Made with recycled plastic, this eye-catching Origami planter is available in two sizes (H 23" or 26"), and has a 10-year guarantee against cracking or fading.
This self-watering container will keep your plants hydrated for up to 12 weeks and at 5.5" D x 8" H has space for up to seven plants.
This Allen+Roth planter looks like terracotta but it's actually recycled plastic so it's lightweight yet strong.
Whichever of these container plants you choose, they will look just as pretty during the day, but each offers something extra in the evenings. Place them around entertaining areas or group them for maximum impact and enjoy your outside space even longer.
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