The moonflower shade is a lovely plant. In our real life, the plant can grow up to 90 feet as a vine. The beautiful flowers only bloom at night… thus the name “moonflower”.  In cooler climates, it is an annual and must be planted by seed each year. In tropical and sub-tropical climates, it can grow in a more wild fashion.

If ever you are looking for a beautiful flower to grace your garden in the evenings and nights, choose the moonflower. The gorgeous blossoms only appear in the late afternoon/evening and will disappear as the sun rises the following morning. The bloom actually dies and is replaced the following evening by yet another. The flowers have a gentle fragrance that provides a sweetness to the evening and night air.

The large blossoms and their fragrance attracts night-flying insects such as moths which in turn pollinate. Imagine your garden at night… a moth hovering over a moonflower shade blossom gathering the pollen… a delight to our senses.  The moonflower beckons us to visit our gardens at night, to think of the creatures that visit, and possibly even encourages us to believe that fairies do exist.