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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: 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): 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: 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: 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: 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): 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: 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): 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: 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.
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The Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative is organised by Carrickfergus Borough Council.
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Carrickfergus Borough Council developed the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative to brighten up the Borough,
to become a Borough of Flowers. Our objective is to make a Brighter Borough for the benefit of all citizens and visitors.
The Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative includes the Borough towns of Carrickfergus, Whitehead, Eden and Greenisland.
Carrickfergus Borough is located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
