Theme Garden Design - Sun, Moon and Stars Garden



Wiese Acres Sun, Moon and Stars Garden

We have the Music garden in honor of our daughter.  That was easy.  It’s a little more challenging to build a garden theme around our son’s chosen profession.  There just aren’t a lot of plants or garden décor developed around anthropology.  Thankfully, he has a passion for a hobby that does lend itself to a garden theme.  Since he was just a couple years old and Grandpa took him outside to look at the sky one late summer evening, he’s been enthralled with stars, planets, galaxies, and moons.  So, the Wiese Acres Sun, Moon and Stars Garden is in his honor.

 The central feature of The Sun, Moon and Stars Garden is the fire pit where we enjoy roasting hot dogs and savoring the gooey, sticky mess of S’Mores on quiet summer evenings.  It’s where we all have front row seats to watch fireworks on the 4^th of July.   And, my son and I make it an annual event to stay out late, drinking hot chocolate or tea and watching the Perseid meteor shower one night in mid-August.

The perimeter of the garden is lit with solar lanterns, and glow-in –the-dark miniature moons held on stakes pop up in various locations within the planted area.  Star-shaped solar lights are strung in the small maple tree that anchors one corner of the garden.  A cast iron sundial keeps track of time and a Mr. Sun plaque spins lazily in one corner.  Gazing balls under the maple tree form a replica of our solar system.

 

Wiese Acres Sun, Moon and Stars Garden

When you step off the cedar bridge which marks the entrance to the garden, you are greeted by the bright yellow springtime blossoms of “Northern Sun” forsythia.   Just off to the right, the beautiful “Sunrise Sunset” and “Harvest Moon” roses bloom their hearts out much of the summer.  “Center Glow” ninebark  shrubs form the back border of the garden and “Rosy Rocket” barberry are planted in the front.  In the hotter, drier area of the garden, “Moonlight Serenade” sedum does well, next to “Ice Star” daisies and “Baby Sun” coreopsis.    “Siloam Sunburst” and “Spacecoast Freaky Tiki” daylilies complete the arrangement.

 

Choices of plants with sun, moon or star names are nearly unlimited.  The Wiese Acres Sun, Moon and Stars Garden is a xeriscape garden in full sun,  so my plant choices are from a selection of drought resistant, heat tolerant plants. 

 

A sun, moon and stars garden could be adequately furnished with shade plants, such as pulmonaria “Mrs. Moon”, "Sunset" fern, and hosta “Blue Moon”.  For gardeners who prefer annuals, there are choices such as moonflower, sunflower and star flower.

Likewise, garden décor fitting this theme is relatively easy to find or to create by using your imagination, such as creating a solar system with gazing balls.

I’m looking forward to evenings spent by the firepit, either enjoying the fire or just lying back in the lounge chair and watching the moon and stars drift through the sky.
 

                                          Ice Star daisies