Garden Lighting

Start with the panel, not the light

Most lights here carry the panel in the fitting itself, the simplest install of all. That works wherever the fitting sees direct sun for most of the day, ideally open to the north. Under a tree canopy, beneath eaves or on a south facing wall, choose a kit with a remote panel instead. The spot light kits, deck light kits, five light bollard kit and festoon kit each run from one separate panel on a cable, so the lights sit in shade while the panel stands in the open.

Which light does which job

• Paths and driveways. Solar bollard and path lights run from 450mm markers to 940mm bollards that stand clear of border planting.
• Trees, hedges and feature plants. Solar spotlights and uplighters range from compact 60 lumen spots for pots to a kit that lights trees and shrubs up to 4m tall.
• Decks and steps. Recessed kits sit flush and take a walk-over pressure of up to 100kg. Small surface lights mark treads and risers.
• Walls, entries and gate pillars. Solar wall and pillar lights cover soft markers, up and down lights that graze brick and stone, and motion sensor lights.
• Entertaining areas. Festoon strings hang over a deck, pergola or courtyard.

How much light, and what colour

Ratings in this range run from 20 lumens, a soft marker that shows a path edge, to 1000 lumens, enough to light an entry. As a rough guide, under 100 lumens defines edges and steps, 200 to 350 lumens lights the path itself, and the brightest fittings suit driveways and gates. Warm white flatters foliage, timber and stone. Cool white reads crisper, which suits driveways and sensor lights. Several fittings switch between 3000K, 4000K and 6000K, so you can decide once the light is in place.

Lighting the planting

Light the plants, not the lawn. One spot aimed up the trunk of a feature tree does more than six lights scattered through a bed, and a hedge wants an even wash along its face, which is what the solar wall washer is made for. Plan for growth as well: a bollard that clears a new border this year can be buried in it in three.

Browse the range by type: deck and step lights and festoon lights.

Common questions

Do solar garden lights need an electrician?

No. Every light runs from a solar panel and battery, so there is no mains wiring. Lights with a built-in panel are fixed or spiked into place, and the kits with a remote panel connect with the cable supplied.

How much sun does the panel need?

As much direct sun as you can give it. An open position facing north is ideal. A panel shaded for half the day charges less, and the light runs shorter and dimmer. Wipe dust and leaf litter off the panel now and then, and trim planting back as it grows.

Will the lights stay on all night?

It depends on the fitting and the day's sun. Where a run time is stated, it ranges from about 6 hours to approximately 10 to 12 hours. Lights with a motion sensor or a timer stretch the battery further, because they save full brightness for when someone is there. Delivered Australia wide.