The Twilight Garden: Creating a Garden That Entrances by Day and Comes Alive at Night

by Lia Leendertz

Covering basic planting and design principles that make the most of outdoor surroundings, this guide helps gardeners establish a unique nocturnal garden. Including chapters on night-scented and night-blooming plants, gentle mood lighting, water features, enclosures, and the use of color and sound to attract wildlife, this is the perfect starting place for gardeners attracted to the ethereal nature of a moonlit landscape, whether they are working with a backyard terrace or a large plot of land. Case studies of formal gardens and detailed horticultural descriptions of night-friendly plant species and varieties—divided into Star Plants, Supporting Cast, and Backstage Beauties—round out the tools needed to transform a private space into a moonlit paradise.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature, Design

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Lia Leendertz is a gardener and writer. She writes about gardening, growing food and cooking, and her work has appeared in for the Telegraph, the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, The Garden, and Simple Things magazine. She publishes an annual garden almanac.

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betties Books

[Paige Vanderbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did about half the job I expected. I think part of the problem is that it’s written in England and so it’s lacking some kind of necessary or obvious things I need to know here in Canada. First, mosquitos are not mentioned. There’s no mention of whether or not any of these plants attract them and there are no repelling plants. Secondly, lilac isn’t mentioned. No lilac?!?! I can’t imagine a garden at twilight without the heady aroma of lilac! Though the books lists a good variety of flowers and plants for the garden and tells you if they need a trellis or not, I would’ve liked more info about which plants to grow together or keep apart.

I also expected a bit more about non-plant elements like animals, rocks and minerals, etc. It touched on them but only briefly.

It was a really beautiful book full of nice photography with a few great tips, but I’m glad I checked it out of the library rather than spending the $70 someone was asking on Amazon.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went through this one in about an hour. The cover photo is the best one by far for the whole book. Most pictures are in daylight and it’s very wordy. I was good for more inspirational photos of night gardens. Disappointed in it. I gave it three stars because of the reference material in the back.

[Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains great images and facts that inspire twilight garden design ideas. I love that I have this in my plant book collection.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant one. I liked the sections of interesting evening-friendly plants—a pine tree with purplish cones??! The author had young children when she wrote this, and she brought a great awareness of gardening in such a way as to keep your little ones alive and the parents sane. I am here for this.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't consistent with which plants it marks as potentially invasive and which it does. I do like that it marks which are hardy to what zones and there are good descriptions. The information contained is helpful, but it's definitely a library borrow over a purchase.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it had better photography. Some of the ideas were repeated throughout the book. It had a few good plants to add to the twilight garden.

[Nicholas & Megan Clinch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lackluster & promotes several invasive species. Was expecting more.

[Colleen Yeany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas and practical information to create any garden enjoyable after dusk; lost points due to basicallly non-existent native plant information.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique gardening book will inspire you to create a themed garden that looks beautiful during the day and shines at night. Learn about the best varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs that are most suitable for a nighttime garden and those that will illuminate best in moonlight and starlight. Ideas for water features and theme parties are included. There are also loads of gorgeous photos of possible set-ups for your backyard, whether it's a balcony or a spacious backyard with a deck or patio.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this beautiful picture book. The author provides a helpful guide and listing of the perfect plants to make a twilight garden. Unfortunately, I live in the desert and cannot replicate most of her ideas but I still loved looking at them just the same.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Twilight Garden: Creating a Garden That Entrances by Day and Comes Alive at Night by Lia Leendertz (Ball Publishing 2011) (635.957) is more a picture book than an instructional guide. It's pretty, but that's about all. My rating: 5/10, finished 4/19/12.

[Emily D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful to look at, informative to read. Divided into sections from overview to specifics, Leendertz entertains while educating. Favorite take under "Entertaining" in the Twilight garden: The Sundowner Party: You will need: An Epiphyllum oxypetalum plant and a gin and tonic. I'm there.

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for those who are inspired to create a night garden. Filled with ideas, plant recommendation too.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photography. A good reference for planting a garden for after dark enjoyment.

[Sarah Yasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of the best gardening books ever because of the density of the material and the usefulness of the photos.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using this book to work on a garden project...will be very helpful

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful pics