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Garden Lighting > Learning Center > A Guide to Great Garden Lighting
First, consider the layout of your home and garden. How much light do you need and want? This will depend largely on the size and features of your garden. Consider the key features of your garden – flowers, bushes, or walkways for example – but keep in mind that bright vibrant colors found in specific plants may lose some luster when lit at night, and remember, large bushes or trees can casts shadows that may unsightly if lit too bright. In general, garden lighting is usually soft and subdued in order to achieve a warm hue that gives a feeling of being in a verdant space, so aim for this rather than trying to see the roses at night. Also, consider how you will use the garden. Is it a nice background piece to a pool or Jacuzzi? Do you want to stroll in it contemplating? Is it in your front yard? Adjacent lights as well as your interaction with the space will increase the amount of intensity you will need to make the garden stand out. If you’re looking to throw parties or have dinners in your garden, use temporary lighting for these occasions, such as hanging lanterns or even tiki torches. Consider your budget. A simple stick-in-the-ground kit of around ten lights can cost around a hundred dollars and are found at major retailers and online. These kits, some of which require wiring and others which are solar powered, can allow you to experiment since they are easy to move around. Most styles of lights are of two varieties: low to ground tiered, which provide ambient light, and low angled floodlights, which highlight specific features. Based on your previous planning you can decide how many of each style you will require. If you have the space, especially for a backyard, you can also use more stylish lighting such as imitation streetlamps or hanging lanterns. You can also find imitation rocks that hold lights to downplay the appearance of the fixture, or to draw attention to it, there are glass bulbs that resonate different colors as well. Before making any final decisions, check out a local bookstore or your library for books like John Raine’s Garden Lighting and Michele Osborne and Steven Wooster’s Creative Garden Lighting. With an idea of what you want, a set of tools to do it, and the experienced advice of others, you’re sure to have a beautifully lit garden. Related Information |
 
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Great garden lighting can help you enjoy your garden throughout the year at any hour. It can also improve the look of your home and increase its value. But it’s not as simple as putting in a few floodlights. You have to plan ahead.