Thanks to today’s advanced technology, it’s easy and affordable to illuminate your garden. Whether you have a small patio garden or a one-acre plot, you can find decorative garden lighting that will enhance and beautify your space.
One of the more unique and visually-pleasing lighting techniques in decorative garden lighting is the use of fiber optics. Fiber optics is the science of transmitting light via optical fibers. Optical fibers are extruded cylinders of plastic or glass used to transmit light. All that is required to illuminate the optic fibers is a single light bulb; making fiber optic lighting an affordable garden lighting choice.
Fiber optic lighting uses no electrical current; therefore it is safe to place in and around water without danger of electrocution. Fiber optic lighting can be used to illuminate a garden pond, patio deck, tree trunks and branches, shrubs, and plant containers.
Additional fiber optic lighting can be found in solar-powered fiber optic gazing balls. These unique ornaments add beauty to your garden during the day and evening hours. Fiber optic gazing balls utilize a solar collector, which gathers energy during the day. At dusk, the fiber optics illuminates the gazing ball and adds instant ambiance to any garden.
String lights that use fiber optic lighting can be added to decks or used to decorate trees, shrubs and plants. A variety of styles are available including butterflies and dragonflies. These delicate lights add subtle lighting to drab areas.
Solar garden lighting is a cost-effective way to bring light to your garden. Solar lights use a single Nicam (nickel and cadmium) battery, which is charged throughout the day by the sun. At dusk, solar garden lights automatically turn on. At dawn, they automatically turn off.
Solar garden lighting is available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some solar lighting is flat and can be used to illuminate garden pathways. Other solar lights are attached to spikes, which are inserted into the ground. Many solar garden lights can be mounted on poles or to the side of a deck, hot tub, or house.
Solar garden lighting is available for use in water features such as ponds, swimming pools or hot tubs. This type of lighting is usually available in the form of floating balls which come in a variety of bright colors.
Garden rocks are a fun way to include lighting along a path or in a flower or vegetable garden. Halogen lamps are inserted inside molds that are formed to look like rocks. The lamps are camouflaged inside the rock; making it appear as if the garden rocks are glowing from inside. During the day, the rocks appear as part of the natural landscape.
Today consumers have access to a wide range of decorative garden lighting to suit every budget. Most decorative garden lighting is constructed from durable materials such as heavy-duty plastic, stainless steel or copper.
The most popular form of decorative garden lighting are those manufactured from brass or cast aluminum. These materials are rust-resistant and require little maintenance. Most decorative garden lighting fixtures utilize a low voltage electrical system; making them affordable to operate.
Decorative garden lighting not only enhances the look of your garden, it also makes the area safer for you and your guests. By adding light to the garden pathway, you’ll easily be able to see where you are walking during evening hours. Additionally, using timers and solar lighting will make your home less attractive to burglars, as it gives your home a lived-in look when you’re away.
When choosing decorative garden lighting look for pieces that allow you to adjust the lighting fixtures to highlight design features. Many decorative garden lights utilize a spotlight design, which make it easy to showcase a specific plant, shrub, tree, or piece of garden art.
Decorative garden lighting can be found in retail stores, craft and hobby stores, landscaping and garden shops, and via the Internet. Oftentimes, you can find great deals on decorative garden lighting at the end of summer. Garden shops are known to offer discounts of up to 75 percent during their end of summer clearance sales.
Reference:
- Exterior Accents – www.exterior-accents.com
