Wild Night Out

Gardens at night: Top 10 plants for a night-time garden

Gardening for biodiversity need not mean an untidy, ‘wild’ patch. Make the most of your garden at night by planting a ‘night-time’ border to provide an attractive focal point for when relaxing outdoors, as well as attracting wildlife.

The plants in this top 10 have been chosen for their night-time ‘performance’ - night-scented plants, architectural plants which create striking silhouettes in the dark, and luminous coloured plants (such as white, silver, blue and purple) that ‘glow’ under moonlight. All carry the AGM (Award of Garden Merit)* which is a measure of excellence awarded by the RHS.

Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ AGM

A luminous plant with fragrant flowers that makes it irresistible to moths. Also try the deep purple ‘Black Knight’ AGM for a dramatic contrast. Plant in a sunny, well-drained position.

Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘First Choice’ AGM

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'First Choice' A compact deciduous shrub with clusters of vivid blue flowers opening from deep indigo buds in late summer. Blue flowers will glow under moonlight, attracting moths. Grow in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil.

Cynara cardunculus AGM (globe artichoke)

Cynara cardunculus Loved by moths, this plant creates a striking silhouette at dusk. Grow in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position.

Eryngium giganteum ‘Silver Ghost’ AGM

Eryngium giganteum 'Silver Ghost' Moth-friendly, tiny blue flowers sit within the rosettes of silvery-grey bracts of this architectural plant. Grows best in poor to moderately fertile soil and in full sun.

Hebe ‘Great Orme’ AGM

Hebe 'Sapphire' A moth-attracting shrub of small pink to white flowers clustered in dense spikes. Also try ‘Sapphire’ AGM (pictured) for a blue/purple variant. Easy to grow in poor to moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade.

Jasminum officinale AGM

Jasminum officinale This white-flowered jasmine is a vigorous twining shrub producing very fragrant flowers, attracting moths and glowing under moonlight. Ideal position is a warm, sunny and sheltered spot, but can cope with partial shade.

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’ AGM (honeysuckle)

Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' Honeysuckle produces a wonderful aroma in the evening making it particularly attractive to moths. ‘Graham Thomas’ is a large, twining deciduous climber. Its white flowers turn to buff yellow over its long flowering season. Thrives in any moist, well-drained soil, but grows best in partial shade.

Nicotiana sylvestris AGM

Nicotiana sylvestris This flowering tobacco plant is sweetly scented and a magnet for moths. The luminous white salver-shaped flowers grow up to 9cm (3.5in) long in the summer. Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Oenothera fruticosa ‘Fyrverkeri’ AGM (evening primrose)

Oenothera fruticosa 'Fyrverkeri' Night-flying insects are attracted to the delicate fragrance of this pretty flower. Remaining closed during the day, its petals then uncurl at dusk. These drought-tolerant plants are ideal for stony sites in full sun.

Verbena bonariensis AGM

Verbena bonariensis Its tall, erect stems, that grow up to 2m (6.5ft) in height, make this a good architectural plant. Moths, as with bees and butterflies in the day, are attracted to the clusters of small, purple flowers. Grow in a sunny spot, in moist, well-drained and moderately fertile soil.

For further details of these plants and many more, use the RHS Plant Selector

For lists of suppliers use the RHS Plant Finder

* The AGM is a measure of excellence usually given after a supervised trial period, indicating plants that are easy to grow and produce excellent results.

Tips on how to attract nocturnal creatures

How to identify some common species you may encounter

All images copyright the RHS, except Nicotiana sylvestis copyright of Garden World Images/Harry Smith Collection