One of my favorite experiences as a gardener and garden lover comes in those precious moments at the beginning of the evening, when the air cools, sounds seem to soften and something very special begins to happen in the garden.

Those 15 minutes before and after the sun sets should be called the “Glowing Hour.” Without the sun reflecting off flower petals and leaf surfaces, colors become truer and richer, and some even seem to come alive. For those short moments, foliage and textures come forward into richer focus. It’s often dreamlike and deeply satisfying.

After a long day working in the garden, I will always resist going back inside the house. My muscles may be tired but I can’t miss these magical moments. The purple Caryopteris incana and apricot Alonsoa combination that was so pretty at noon becomes ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS now. Sunflowers come alive! Anything red, orange or yellow turns incandescent. Plant artistry, ours and Mother Nature’s, is sensuously enhanced as the light turns luminous gold.

My friend (and master photographer) Marion Brenner calls this her “Glory Light.” When I try to reach her by cell phone in the afternoon, she is often racing to this or that garden, trying to make it in time to catch the glow.

If you want to take your own glory pictures, wait until the light softens and the colors look intense. And don’t forget to turn off the flash – the fake light ruins it. Don’t wait too long, in 10 or 15 minutes – or less – it will be too dark to take pictures.

Anyway, I bet many of you share my love of the evening garden, especially if you’ve been out there all day. It’s almost impossible not to kick back and survey your accomplishments under this beautiful light while filled with a sense of peace.