Enjoying the view of your flower garden should not have to end when the sun goes down, especially when there are so many wonderful options for garden lighting on the market today. If you are considering adding or changing lights in your garden, you should first decide what theme or mood you want to create. Perhaps you have several dainty, pastel flowers and want to establish a romantic mood; or maybe your garden contains large, bright colored flowers and you prefer a more festive theme. You may even have a xeriscape garden where you would like to create the ambience of a desert sunset.

No matter what visual mood you want, it is important that the light fixtures you choose coordinate, rather than contrast, to maintain continuity of form and style. All of the lighting does not need to be identical, but it should be similar in color and shape. If you choose copper plated globe lights for the garden path, for example, use rounded copper plated lights throughout. Do not switch to polished nickel lamps with sharp, squared edges. Using a variety of structurally similar lights at varying heights and intervals will give your garden a unique visual appeal.

Along with choosing the right lights, supplying the right amount of light is essential. Stick with your theme and add subtle lighting that will enhance your garden for the proper effect. Ideally, you do not want your garden as heavily lit at night as it is in the day. Fewer lower wattage lights, strategically placed, can produce a beautifully dramatic mood for any garden theme. Use colored bulbs or filters for color scheme: pink, yellow and blue for sunrise; red, orange and yellow for sunset; greens and blues for sea or forest effects. Following these basic rules will help you make your night time garden shine.

One thing that can enhance a patio tremendously is the right type of lighting. This is the case, especially if you enjoy sitting out on your patio in the evening after the sun goes down or if you are inclined to have social gatherings and want others to enjoy your patio as well.

One option that is budget friendly and is very ecologically friendly is to let the sun work with you to create lighting and ambiance. Solar lights require no wires and are very easy to install. Another excellent point about solar lights is that they will not cause your electricity bill to soar.

How do solar lights work?

Solar lights contain small batteries that charge up throughout the day when the sun shines on them. By so doing, in the evening they come on nice and bright, thanks to the solar energy they have stored up when the sun was out. This gives you many hours of solar light throughout the course of the evening and night.

You can find low cost solar lights at most hardware or gardening stores. The low cost lights are very reliable. However, if you prefer the more expensive solar lights, these are a little more sophisticated, as they are constructed with an on/off switch and automatic sensors.

There are different types of solar lights from which you can choose. Choose the appropriate style of light based on where you would like to place the lights. Keep in mind that the solar lights need to be placed where they can get enough sunlight to recharge themselves on a regular basis.

Hanging solar lights

These types of lights can add atmosphere to any patio, as well as an air of sophistication. They come in a variety of styles, from cylindrical Chinese lanterns to the classic carriage style lanterns to paper lights.

Stake lights

These are a permanent type of light that cannot be moved about too much. They come in a multitude of shapes and materials. Look for stake lights in wood, stainless steel finish, metal and durable plastic.

Strings of solar lights

These are very attractive and create a festive touch. Shop for strings of lights that are made with stakes or clips that contain low-energy LED lights. Colored LED lights are a nice touch when the holidays roll around.