If you work during the day, evening will be the only time you can enjoy your garden, also evening gardens can be a joy also when the heat of the day lifts and one gets to spend time outside with our South African summers it's a real treat. On the patio or dining alfresco or even just sitting out on the lawn here are some gardening tips to make it even more special.
Smaller spaces capture and intensify the fragrance of your flowers so plant your evening garden in areas like atriums or use trellis to provide a break. Small spaces have less air movement which lets the fragrance linger so one can adapt a flower bed to create pockets and by keeping them close to your home it makes them easier to see.
When it's time to plant, keep the palette light - white flowers and those in very pale tints of pink or yellow will glow at dusk and into the darkness. Many white flowers often are more fragrant than brightly coloured flowers. Some release their intoxicating aromas only at dusk which is when they attract the evening insects to pollinate them.
Besides flowers, variegated foliage - striped, spotted or mottled stand out at night in much the same way white flowers do and add texture. Add water in some form - a small pool, a fountain, even a birdbath. It will provide a reflective surface for moonlight and starlight, its gentle sounds will lend a sense of tranquillity to the scene and the extra moisture in the air will further intensify the scent of nearby flowers. Over the years my personal favourites have become Eckards stalwarts. Plant them as a starting point and then add as you go along to create your evening spaces.
Star Jasmine
Flowering mainly in early summer and again towards the end of summer, Star Jasmine - Trachelospurmum is a firm favourite. It's a good climber to place near doorway or a much-used path in order to most appreciate its fragrance.
It will quickly fill a trellis or cover a stump or pillar. It will either climb up or cascade down a high retaining wall and can also be used as a low maintenance ground cover.
Coffee Jasmine
Murraya also known as Coffee or Orange Jasmine is one of the most widely grown hedge or screening plants and is particularly suited to semi-shade and shady gardens. It has many highly desirable features, fast growing with dense foliage and the strong, sweet scent of Murraya flowers are also a big bonus with this plant. As an evergreen shrub Murraya will grow to 3 metres in height.
Suited to topiary or prune at least twice a year to ensure new foliage is growing from the base of the plant right up to the top. Fertilise with an organic fertiliser and ensure adequate watering. You should also ensure plenty of mulch is applied, this will make a huge difference to the growth of your plants.
Gardenias
Gardenias have long been one of our favourites with their striking white fragrant flowers. New varieties of Gardenias have been introduced recently adding to the fun one can have with these versatile plants. Grow them in semi-shade in the garden or in containers and enjoy the difference.
Gardenias don't like being moved once they're planted, so choose your site wisely. Make sure the soil you plant your Gardenias in is very well conditioned. Gardenias also prefer a slightly acid soil when planting use acid compost into the soil to hold moisture and improve the acidity. Feed the Gardenia every 3 weeks with an azalea food and twice a year apply Ferro Food which will correct the yellowing of the leaves from a lack of iron.
Whichever plants you choose for your evening garden, don't miss the chance to create an enchanting outdoor spot where you can enjoy the cool of a summer's evening spent among the flowers out under the evening star.