Shedding Light on your Garden Lighting

Shedding Light on the Benefits of Garden Lighting: Enhance Your Outdoor Living

Garden lighting is a broad subject, encompassing everything from purely practical solutions to more artistic approaches. Take, for example, the reactive security lights attached to the side of many middle-class homes. We've all been caught in their beam—whether it’s your son coming home late from football practice, a cat wandering past, or, as their primary selling point suggests, an unwelcome person with ill intentions entering the property. These lights serve a practical purpose: they provide security and make it possible to kick a ball around the back garden on a winter evening. In this regard, they fulfil their purpose effectively.

However, I have a passion for the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm not advocating for total darkness—though I must admit, I do enjoy that as well. Rather, I’m drawn to the delicate touch, the soft details, and the warmth that garden lighting can bring to an outdoor space in the evening.

A beautifully illuminated UK garden at dusk, featuring lush greenery, ambient lighting, and a cosy hanging chair. Perfect inspiration for creating a tranquil outdoor space.

What truly deserves our investment in light, and what should we leave in the dark?

It's easy to say that ornaments, statues, and trees should be illuminated, and in large part, I’d agree with you. But the matter goes much deeper than that. Remember my earlier reference to the unforgiving nature of the security light? That’s the key—it’s unforgiving because it captures everything, often too much, leaving no room for definition or subtlety. Sometimes, it’s more about what you choose not to light up than what you do.

The deep darkness, as unsettling as it might sound, creates depth. It allows for gently suggested pathways and directions, giving a sense of something far greater. By strategically choosing what remains in shadow, we create contrast, mystery, and a more profound connection to the space.

A stunning night-time shot of a formal UK garden pathway, beautifully lit with strategic uplighting that enhances the symmetrical design and topiary. The image showcases meticulous landscaping, featuring neatly trimmed hedges, stone obelisks, and perfectly shaped trees

And Now, the Next Trick: Hidden Light

Over the years, I've developed various theories, made observations, encountered setbacks, and learned valuable lessons along the way. But the thing is, theories remain just that until they're put to the test, and sometimes, the reality of a theory being proven wrong can hit hard. I must admit, on more than a few occasions, practical reality has shown me where I went wrong . But in good time, I’ll share the steep learning curve I faced with you.

Creating a relaxing environment with lighting can be challenging. While we all appreciate sunlight, we know that its glare can be uncomfortable. Sunlight also changes throughout the day, a fact not lost on those who flock to capture the perfect Instagram moment during golden hour. The point is, light influences what we do, how we feel, and ultimately frames the atmosphere of the moment.

High-quality suppliers understand this and offer a range of add-ons or specific lighting solutions to help filter glare or softly disperse light. However, achieving this level of detail often comes at a cost. Lighting isn’t just about the variety of fixtures available in a particular system; it’s about creating an effect where the light itself isn’t the focal point. For instance, light softly dispersing through the air after being refracted by delicate leaves or highlighting the texture of bark on an old tree creates a true sense of presence and depth.

Now, as promised, here’s an example of one of my theories gone wrong and the steep learning curve that followed. I’ve often mentioned how too much light can ruin the mood, but too little can arguably be worse. The intricacies of design is a skill, one that is honed with experience. My lesson came when I decided to place lights under dense, dark evergreen shrubs (Sarcococca). The idea was to use the shrubs to softly disperse the light cast against them. However, the thick evergreen leaves didn’t glow as I expected; instead, they absorbed the light. When the sun went down and the lights came on, the area remained dark—oops! I eventually resolved the problem by swapping the Sarcococca for Hydrangeas, which worked incredibly well. But this came at a cost, both financially and to my ego too.

Detail matters, and design is an art. This tactic works beautifully with fresh, light green deciduous trees, but less so with dark evergreens. The art of design isn’t just about vision; it requires an innate obsession with detail, knowledge of the plants, and, if I’m to be totally honest, sometimes stumbling upon a happy, unintended effect.

A beautifully lit UK garden at night, showcasing dense greenery and modern vertical wooden sculptures. The lighting highlights the textures of the plants and the artistic elements, creating a serene and contemporary outdoor space.

conclusion, garden lighting is much more than just a practical necessity; it can be an art form that shapes the mood of your outdoor space in the evenings. While the beam of a security light has its place, there's something truly special about the investment in thoughtful, well-executed garden lighting. This isn’t about cutting corners; it's about meticulous attention to detail. When done right, garden lighting softly highlights the unique personality of your garden, transforming it into a space that feels both magical and inviting.