![]() Impatiens: Diane Webb/istockphoto.com Below, Hosta: Rita Jacobs/ istockphoto.com ![]() ![]() Lamb's Ear x Helene Von Stein: Laura Clay - Ballard/istockphoto.com Below, Heliotrope: R.A. Howard: Smithsonian Institution ![]() About Franklin Park Conservatory 1777 E. Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 43203 614-645-8733, 800-214-PARK ADMISSION* $10 for adults $8 for seniors and students $5 for children ages 3 to 17 Members and children under 2 FREE * All exhibitions are included in the general admission price HOURS Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open holiday Mondays Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day HOLIDAY HOURS The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Thanksgiving Eve hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
evening splendorBy Barbara ArnoldBusy lifestyles resulting from job schedules and family or social commitments limit the time we can spend sitting out in the garden, often leaving the garden to be enjoyed only at twilight. In developing your garden, you should consider the effect of the light during this time of day to maximize your time there. Evening gardens use three main plant elements: white or lightly colored flowers, silver and gray foliage, and fragrance. Think about vantage points in the garden, so that the reflective qualities of its components can be best displayed. At dusk, white and paler colored flowers reflect what little light is available, almost making them beacons. In the glaring light of midday these flowers wash out and fade into the background while the deeper colors of red and purple are easily seen. At night the red and purple appear almost black while the white and light-colored flowers shine brightly, making a stark contrast. This combination ensures the colors that seem brilliant during the day will later let the bright white flowers take center stage as the sun goes down. Here is a list of flowers for your evening garden:
Moonlight is reflected off of silvery-gray foliage, just as it is from flowers of a similar color. Plant leaves are also a great way to add texture and interest to the garden, plus the abundant foliage and greater surface area of the following plants better serves the purpose of mirroring light than the use of flowers alone. Just remember not to skimp on regular green foliage, as it is needed in daylight as a backdrop for the light-colored flowers.
Intoxicating perfumes floating on the nighttime air are another benefit of the evening garden. These pleasing fragrances do serve a practical purpose though, as an attraction for night pollinators like moths. It is best to place the following plants where this pleasant feature can be enjoyed – close to where you will be, like the deck or patio.
Think about some simple accessories such as a gazing ball or a grouping of mason jars containing twinkling tea light candles. Paint the trellis or a couple of chairs white for more punch. Add some artificial lighting with low voltage landscape lights spotlighting a tree or a path, or even a string of lights to add a festive feeling to the garden. Moonlight illuminates plants in both flowers and foliage, making a garden experience that is only achieved at night. Other sources of natural light will be found in your garden too, as the season brings the flickering of fireflies. Barbara Arnold is horticultural designer at Franklin Park Conservatory. To comment on this article, e-mail info@ourohio.org You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to login or register. |
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