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Light up<br />
THE NIGHT<br />
These BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING IDEAS can all be created in<br />
an afternoon, leaving you the evening to sit back and enjoy them<br />
Are you looking to make more of your<br />
garden time this summer? Perhaps<br />
you’re hoping to enjoy leisurely<br />
evenings outside, rather than just the<br />
odd barbecue that sees you heading indoors<br />
as the light fades. Getting the lighting right can<br />
make all the difference, helping to create mood<br />
and atmosphere. And here’s the good news,<br />
many of the latest lighting designs don’t involve<br />
running power, burying cables under established<br />
plants or hiring an electrician. Look out for<br />
solar-powered designs that charge throughout<br />
the day and give a run time of around six-eight<br />
hours from dusk onwards, often controlled<br />
by a timer. Do read the instructions, as some<br />
rechargeable batteries take time to charge up<br />
before their first use straight out of the box.<br />
If you do need mains power, then a qualified<br />
electrician will be able to fit a weatherproof<br />
outdoor socket quickly and easily – it’s always<br />
a job for the professionals – but once it’s in<br />
place, you can use it for summer and Christmas<br />
lighting schemes in your garden. Many of<br />
our lighting ideas will take a few attempts<br />
to get perfect – stand back regularly as you<br />
fix or stake the lights in place, looking for<br />
any obvious gaps or dark corners that would<br />
benefit from extra twinkle. Candlelight,<br />
especially in lanterns, is another quick and<br />
easy way to light up your garden – choose<br />
battery-operated LED tealights for ease, or<br />
try citronella-scented tealights to keep any<br />
pesky insects at bay.<br />
BUDGET BUYS<br />
Individual additions to your garden can<br />
make a big impact – a small spend can<br />
help to tie an overall theme together, or<br />
even provide a key focal point.<br />
1<br />
UNDER<br />
£20<br />
2<br />
1 TWO-IN-ONE<br />
Relax as daylight fades with this solar<br />
wind chime light – just hang from a<br />
branch or under a parasol, and it emits a<br />
colour-changing glow. Solar light crackle<br />
ball in stainless steel, £12 www.wilko.com<br />
2 HOOKED UP<br />
These decorative lanterns give your garden<br />
a stylish Moroccan touch. Push the stakes<br />
into soft ground and hang the lanterns –<br />
easy! Smart Solar Riad lanterns, two for<br />
£19.99 www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk<br />
3 HOT TREND<br />
Work the copper look outdoors with this<br />
caged lantern design. The warm white<br />
LED auto switches on/off from dusk<br />
to dawn. Cole & Bright Aged lightbulb<br />
lantern, £14.99 www.gardman.co.uk<br />
4<br />
4 NATURE LOVERS<br />
Go back to nature with this pretty string<br />
of 10 hummingbird lights. They're solar<br />
powered and give out a lovely soft white<br />
glow. £9.99 www.lights4fun.co.uk<br />
3<br />
68 MODERN GARDENS APRIL 2017
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