How lighting can bring your garden to life in winter

Garden lighting is becoming increasingly popular for good reason. Not only are there the safety and the practical elements of lighting certain level changes and deterring any would-be intruders, but subtle garden lighting will instantly enhance the look of your garden, turning it into a magical place on those balmy summer evenings.

Garden lighting however, is not only an element for the summer and is just as valuable to help ease the winter garden through those tricky dormant months. During the week we often lose our gardens as we leave and return home when it’s dark outside and we are faced with a shiny black window and more likely than not a reflection of ourselves. The garden completely disappears for nearly half the year. What a huge waste! The addition of simple lighting can extend the way the garden is used, viewed and appreciated, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are many who are concerned about garden lighting and light pollution, but obviously any lights should be low wattage bulbs and not left on all night.

Permanent/electrical lighting:
Some of the low voltage products can be installed DIY simply enough, but as soon as any real electrics are concerned a professional electrician is essential. With them you can ‘uplight’, ‘downlight’, ‘backlight’, or throw a shadow of a plant onto a wall, which adds movement in a light breeze.

Rope lighting:
This is great stuff. It usually comes in 6 metre flexible lengths and is available in a variety of colours, but I’d be inclined to stick to white as the novelty of crazy lighting colours quickly fades. You can wrap it round tree trunks, pin it to walls or use it in a more linear fashion such as on the back lip of a raised planter or inside of a pot to create some really stunning effects. They are great value for money, but you’ll need a waterproof outdoor socket installed to plug into.

Solar lighting:
These take in the suns rays during the day (yes, even in the winter) and then light up in the evening giving off a subtle (err sometimes too subtle if you ask me- ambient light). They won’t last the whole night and aren’t powerful enough to read a book by, but are great for lighting a path or edge of some paving

Candle lighting:
Of course there are safety considerations if there are children around, and candles aren’t great in the wet, but they are the simplest and cheapest of all garden lighting. The flickering light that candles give off is unique and brighter than you may think. There are loads of fabulous candle holders designed specifically for garden uses that can be permanently fixed to walls, placed on dining tables or which come with a shepherds crook to be placed into planting or lawn areas. The cheapest solution A bag of 50 tea lights placed in some plastic cups to stop them blowing out will do the job. 

~ by modulargarden on 5 December, 2007.