Adorable Using Garden Lights For Landscape Accents

A lighted garden is a very nice landscape accent, but to give the right results, the gardener needs to think about just what effect is desired. There are garden lights which have all sorts of brightnesses and uses, and which ones to choose depends mainly on the look a person desires.

Many garden lights are meant to highlight particular specimen plants rather than the entire garden. These lights can take the form of single, bright spotlights, or they can be a series of strategically-placed smaller lights. Gardens and landscape plants which are in front of big, expensive-looking homes do well when lit by bright spotlights, because the lights will also illuminate part of the house. Smaller homes, on the other hand, can look overwhelmed when a spotlight hits them. Gardens in such yards are better off lit by less ostentatious fixtures. In either case, the lighting effect should be tailored to fit with the overall appearance of the property and house.

Another use of garden lights is to light a pathway through the garden, as well as lighting the garden itself. Path/garden lights usually look best when they are arranged in a row and not overly bright. Take care not to make them too dim though-the walking space should have enough illumination to be safe.

Garden lights have a few ways of getting power. Some are wired in via underground conduit, which is the traditional way to install permanent outdoor lighting. Newer lights use solar power. This is more economical in the long run, since the sun's power is free. In the short run, however, solar lighting is often more expensive than the regular variety. Solar lighting also has the benefit of being more environmentally-friendly, which entices more people to use them than economical reasons alone would.

A timer function is essential for garden lights. This not only keeps you from using unnecessary electricity, it makes sure the garden always has the desired effect.

One thing to keep in mind is that plants like mums won't bloom if exposed to extra light-they time their displays based on day length. Make sure these types of plants are not at all illuminated by your garden lights. Fortunately, there are many other kinds of plants which are not adversely affected by extra lighting.