Summer inspires outdoor living and the longer daylight hours inspire lingering in the garden later into the evening.

In the cooler part of the day the garden takes on the heady fragrance of flowers and some plants come to life under the stars.

Mark Curtis, design manager for Secret Gardens of Sydney, explains the benefits of nights spent in the garden. ‘Sitting under a frangipani tree that’s lit up by ambient lighting, and with the scent of the flowers wafting down creates a memorable experience,’ he says.

Plan your night garden to appeal to the senses by lighting up sculptures, trees, walls and water features and planting for fragrance and noise proofing.

PLANTING FOR FRAGRANCE
Flowers emit odours to attract pollinating insects, not for our olfactory stimulation.

When the blooms of the tobacco plant fade and are no longer attractive to insects by day they release a strong fragrance in the evening, particularly those with white flowers.

As the name suggests, evening primrose flowers open as the sun goes down and close at dawn.

Frangipani, roses and petunias are all fragrant by day but their scent becomes stronger in the evening.

Nocturnal moths, beetles and some bats get busy pollinating flowers at night so avoid spraying chemicals to keep these creatures of the night visiting and carrying out their work.

LANDSCAPE TO PLEASE THE EYE
Silver and light-coloured flowers and foliage glow in the dark. White impatiens are one of the easiest plants to grow in pots or garden borders.

Climbing moonflower opens white flowers at dusk so quickly you can watch the process.

Highlight trees with light bark such as angophoras or snow gums by angling solar spotlights at the base to beam light up the trunks.

Large sculptural succulents such as yuccas and agaves can also become a focal point with clever lighting.

‘Bamboo works well when some of the lower foliage is removed and it’s lit with uplights to throw shadows that move with the wind,’ says Mark.

Attractive as atmospheric lighting can be it’s also important to be practical so you can see when barbecuing or pouring a drink.

Lighting near the entertaining area should be bright enough to illuminate but directed to avoid shining in people’s eyes. Table lamps or large hurricane lanterns work in dining spaces.

Lighting also guides people around the garden and helps navigate steps in the dark. Use recessed, post or post cap lights or solar lights that charge during the day.

Choose light fittings that are designed for the outdoors and always have an electrician install the lights if they use more than 12 volts.