Have you ever wandered through a moonlit garden and become captivated by the delicate beauty of flowers that seem to glow in the dark?
While many blooms close their petals at dusk, a select few come alive under the starry sky, releasing their intoxicating fragrances and unveiling their hidden splendor.
1. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
This cheerful yellow wildflower is known for its delicate blooms that unfurl at dusk, attracting moths and other pollinators. It has a short blooming period, but its beauty and sweet fragrance make it a worthwhile addition to any garden.
2. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Also known as “Night-Blooming Jessamine,” this shrub produces small, white, highly fragrant flowers that open in the evening and fill the air with a sweet perfume. The fragrance is so potent that it can be overwhelming for some, so it’s best planted away from windows and patios.
3. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
This vining plant produces large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that unfurl dramatically as the sun sets. The blooms release a soft, lemony fragrance, creating a magical atmosphere in the moonlight.
4. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
These vibrant flowers get their name from their habit of opening in the late afternoon and remaining open until the following morning. They come in various colors, including pink, yellow, red, and white, and are often grown as ornamental plants.
5. Night-Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
This unique cactus produces stunning, large white flowers that only bloom for a single night. The blooms are fragrant and often compared to the scent of vanilla or gardenia, attracting nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats.
6. Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
This cheerful wildflower has yellow blooms that resemble daisies and emit a delicate chocolate fragrance, especially in the morning sun. It’s a hardy plant that attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
7. Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans)
This delicate wildflower produces clusters of small, white, drooping flowers that release a sweet fragrance at night. It is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle, flowering in the second year.
8. Casablanca Lily (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’)
While many lilies bloom during the day, the Casablanca Lily stands out for its large, white, fragrant flowers that open in the evening. It is a popular choice for weddings and special events due to its elegance and intoxicating scent.
9. Night Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)
This unique gladiolus species produces pale yellow or cream-colored flowers with a spicy fragrance that intensifies at night. It is native to South Africa and thrives in warm climates.
10. Evening Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
Also known as Night-Scented Stock, this plant produces small, four-petaled flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. The flowers release a strong, sweet fragrance in the evening, attracting moths and other pollinators.
11. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
This tropical shrub or small tree is known for its large, pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom at night. The flowers come in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, and orange, and release a sweet fragrance.
12. Datura (Datura spp.)
This genus of flowering plants includes several species known for their large, trumpet-shaped blooms that open at night. The flowers can be white, yellow, pink, or purple and often have a strong, sweet fragrance. However, it’s important to note that all parts of the datura plant are poisonous.
Whether you’re an avid gardener, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beauty, these blooms are sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.