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How to Add Lights in Your Garden
Lights in the garden are practical and extend visual appeal. Low-voltage lighting systems are suitable for all but the largest gardens. Most of the cheaper ranges have transformers which must be kept undercover in your house or an outbuilding. It's possible to install low-voltage systems if you have a socket close to where you want to run them. You may want to build up your own system from constituent parts, and buy a transformer with a higher wattage - add up the wattage of the lights you plan to use to get the capacity you need. For more powerful lights and to achieve some of the effects below, you will need an outdoor power supply, and also perhaps consult a garden lighting specialist.
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You may need power in your garden to run pumps for water features or heat and light sheds and greenhouses. Don't take shortcuts - electricity in the garden can be dangerous. Use an RCD on any electric garden tool or feature. Get an electrician to install an outdoor power supply. Save money by doing the groundwork yourself. Follow the manufacturer's installation and running instructions with all garden lighting systems and parts.
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Functional Halogen floodlights - uses: security and lighting the way in and out of your house. Require mains electricity, usually house mounted and switched. Sensors are integral or can be fitted. A 300 W bulb mounted at 2.4 m on a wall lights an area of 30 square metres. In small gardens, simple outdoor bulkhead style fittings can throw out enough light. These can also have sensors.
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For paths, steps and drives, put lights along paths to front doors, garages, changes in levels, steps, ponds. Solar powered lights require no wiring, but they tend not to give out much light when daytime light levels are low. Low -voltage lights (up to 20 W) are adequate for this but need a mains socket close by. A variety of fittings are available - posts, mushrooms, metal or plastic lights on spikes - most cast their light downwards. Lights can be built into walls and paving, but you will need to get these from lighting specialists, and perhaps get them installed professionally.
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Patios require low key lighting. Spotlights fitted to your house are one option. These can be metal or plastic. Or use the same lights as installed for lighting paths several - these cast light down so you may need more light from above. Downlighters attached to pergolas, arches or fences create pools of light for more intimacy. You can buy low-voltage downlighters and install yourself, if you have a socket close by.
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Special effects: Light plants and features to bring your garden to life at night all year round. Low-voltage systems can be moved around to show plants in peak performance at different seasons. Hide the light sources as best you can for added mystery.
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Up lighting is where the light source is placed below to shine up through plant or wall. It gives dramatic effects, useful for statues, trees and plants with good habit e.g. weeping trees, yuccas, phormiums, birches, contorted hazel, tall grasses. Throw light across rough stone walls and buildings such as sheds, if they are attractively painted and planted. Down lighting is good general illumination or create a pool of light around plants and objects below. Support from overhanging verandas and balconies, large tree branches, pergolas, arbours, arches. Use silhouetting where a hidden source lights plant group or object from behind. It creates good shadows and depth. Uses: single trees such as multi stem specimens, large statues take on extra mystery.
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For border edges use low level lighting to mark the change in surface textures, from plants to grass, or plants to hard surface.
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For reflections use ponds to double light effects and create night time mirrors. Light a plant or object on the far side of a pool - place the light carefully, and illuminate just the plant for a special floating effect, or highlight a larger tree or shrub.
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Fibre Optics and Decorative lights for Outdoors are becoming more available. Use them as features in their own right, to sway in the breeze. Or cast a net of lights over shrubs for special occasions. Most will have transformers that have to be kept indoors.
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Lighting is a big asset for garden security |
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Well positioned lighting highlights planting |
Position lights to shine up into trees |
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