Festive lighting

As winter nights draw in, lighting gives your garden seasonal sparkle and atmosphere. Follow our guide to making your light show big on impact but easy to achieve

Add seasonal sparkle to your garden with our guide to innovative illuminations

Bring your garden to life as night falls, using lighting to add sparkle for the festive season and beyond. You can keep things simple with battery-operated lights, which are perfect for a small, quick fix. Alternatively, if you want a larger festive display or something more permanent, then consider mains-powered products. Solar-powered lights have improved in recent years and most perform well in low winter light levels, although their glow will be a little dimmer than a battery or mainspowered product. Candle-lit lanterns are great for a fast transformation of a party space. Take inspiration from our ideas but let your own creative juices flow, too. As a rule, ice-white lights are blue-ish and provide a modern, contemporary look, while warm-white lights are yellow-toned. creating a more traditional feel. Multi-coloured lights are guaranteed to create a sense of fun – just take your pick. If you’re worried about the electricity bill, follow our advice to ensure your lights are as cost-effective as possible, and use our handy hints to ensure Christmas displays are simple to create. Most important of all, stay safe. Follow product instructions to the letter and read our safety advice on page 65.

2 Uplight a tree

Add drama by directing light on a tree’s trunk or canopy, providing vertical interest to the garden. Use a narrow 30° beam for upright trees and a wide 60° beam for spreading trees. For similar, try Spotlight Outdoor Lighting Spears, £41.95 for one, worm.co.uk

3 Wrap it up

Transform a tree with a string of LED lights. Attach to an outdoor extension cord then, starting at the trunk’s base, wrap the lights upwards. Aim for uniform spacing between each wraparound. For similar, try LED String Lights, with a 7.9m-long power cable and 80 bulbs, £28.90, lights.co.uk

4 Highlight plants

Set off the best features of a shrub or grass with a spike spotlight. This will also throw soft light onto a nearby border or path. For similar, try the aluminium Taurus Spike Spotlight 12v, £33.60, lightingforgardens.com

Decorate for a winter party with candlelit lanterns. The metal lattice work will prevent the candles from blowing out, while creating a magical atmosphere. For similar, try Moroccan-style lanterns, £34.95 for a pair containing a small lantern ( HxW...

Outdoor sockets have weatherproof casing to stop rain getting in