Annual Moon Flowers

When most flowers are catching some z’s, the moonflower is just waking up. The moon flower is a fragrant flowering annual vine that blooms at night, and this night-blooming annual flower is magnificent. The moon flower climbs to a height ranging between six and nine feet. The blooms of the moon flower are satiny, and they are as white as freshly fallen snow. The centers of the moon flower yellow like the moonbeams that shine upon its silken blooms, and the deep green heart-shaped foliage is equally attractive. The moon flower is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a beautiful climbing annual flower that blooms at night.

Since moon flowers bloom at night, they aren’t pollinated by bees and butterflies like most other flowers. Moon flowers are pollinated by moths. This is just one other characteristic that adds interest and appeal to the moon flower. Plant the exotic annual moon flower in your yard or garden, and it will surely become the topic of conversation at your outdoor evening get-togethers.

Locations for Moon Flowers

Moon flowers aren’t suitable for colder climates, and they will grow and thrive only in warmer hardiness zones. In locations that are exceptionally humid and warm, moon flowers take off like a wildfire, and the foliage grows out of control if unsuspecting gardeners aren’t on their toes with their garden shears in hand.

Consider planting moonflowers next to a fence or trellis. You can turn an ordinary chainlink fence into a fragrant privacy fence that blooms all night long. In areas with limited space, moonflowers can be grown in a barrel or tub containing a trellis or wires for support. Wherever you plant moonflowers, you will be graced by the presence of beautiful white fragrant flowers as soon as the sun goes down.

Planting and Growing Moon Flowers

Moon flowers are hardy annual flowers that are tolerant of most types of soil, but if your soil is exceptionally hard or lacks nutrients, mix compost or other organic material into the ground a few weeks prior to preparing and planting your moon flower seeds. Moon flowers or any flowers can benefit greatly from the addition of compost or other organic matter. Your moon flowers will grow faster and more hardy in nutrient-rich soil.

Moon flower seeds have a thick outer shell, and they are slow to germinate if they aren’t given a little assistance. Before planting moon flower seeds outdoors, carefully notch each seed just deep enough to allow moisture to adequately penetrate the inner core. Keep the soil moist while the moon flower seeds are sprouting, and after your moon flower plants are well established, water them on a weekly basis and more so when it’s hot, dry, or exceptionally windy. If you’re growing annual moon flowers in a container, keep in mind they will require watering more frequently.

It’s not usually necessary to feed moon flowers, but if you’re growing them in a container they may need some extra nourishment. Apply a water-soluble plant fertilizer once every two weeks. Read and follow product label instructions carefully for specific instructions.

When your moon flowers begin to die off after the first frost of the season, or when the foliage of your moon flowers start to deteriorate, it’s time to clear them out. If you’re not bothered by the appearance of withering moon flower vines, consider leaving them until the following season. Even though moon flowers are annual flowering vines, these magnificent annuals just might surprise you and reappear on a warm evening when spring arrives once again.