Buyers’ Guide to garden lighting
Don’t let sunset stop you enjoying your garden. Geoff Hodge explores some of the best faff-free and affordable lighting options
Easy solar and battery units for faff-free, affordable lighting
When the sun goes down and dusk envelops the garden, the organised gardener can bring the garden back to life with outdoor lighting. Lights are a real bonus when entertaining friends and family al fresco, not least in helping to highlight paths and steps, which could become a potential trip hazard at night. There’s also the joy of lighting up water features, ornaments and favourite architectural plants, to enjoy their shadows and silhouettes all year round. But if you’re worried about the faff of digging up your garden to install electrical cables and hire a qualified electrician to fit waterproof outdoor power points, the easier and cheaper option is to buy portable lighting units, such as solar-powered or other battery-powered garden lights. These wireless units are incredibly versatile – just put them where you want the light, obviously bearing in mind that solar-powered lights need their solar panel charger to sit in direct sunlight. And, of course, you can simply move them again at whim, according to your seasonal needs.
Which type?
Whether you’re into modern, traditional, Oriental or cottage garden styles, there are lights to match your tastes. They come in numerous types, shapes, sizes and colours: from white to flickering yellow (for a candle effect) and a myriad rainbow colours. There are those that change colour or come with flashing, twinkling or sparkle effects, and string lights that appear to ‘chase’ each other if you want an additional sense of movement. Post and stake marker lights can be positioned around the garden – just pushed into the soil – to mark out the line of a path or illuminate steps and other obstacles. Spotlights allow you to highlight certain garden features or areas, drawing attention to specific design details. Table and hanging lights provide intimate lighting when you’re entertaining, eating and drinking on the patio. Wall lights, which can also be screwed to outbuildings and fences, provide downlighting from a height.