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Discreet solar lights

alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
in Garden design
Can anyone recommend the best style (rather than brand, although suggestions not unwelcome) of solar lights suitable for lighting up corners and/or highlighting plants as opposed to stake lighting for driveways or security. 
Ideally looking for something discreet.
Thanks  
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    edited March 2022
    I've seen some lovely lanterns on shepherds' hooks in photos on this forum. I don't remember whose they were, but they were pretty subtle and used to line a pathway.

    Are you looking for uplighters, spotlights? Panels will charge best in areas of full sun.

    There are some thoughts below on the range of light options (I am not recommending the company). Solar lights are renowned for being of rubbish quality.  I suspect it's one area what you get what you pay for. If you want long term, fixable types (which I would recommend) then find a good quality firm with a long guarantee period (of years) and a pledge to fix what breaks.



  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    Not a manufacturer as such, but a supplier of various styles which may give you an idea. I have bought solar lights from them
    https://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/

    As @Fire says, l have the majority of mine as lanterns hanging on "shepherd's crooks". One advantage of these is that you can move them easily around the garden to highlight specific areas through the year.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    edited March 2022
    @AnniD yours were the ones I was thinking of.


  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    @Fire
    The ones on this page ?
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1049663/garden-gallery-2021/p156
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Yes, above. I found the pic.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,097
    I wouldn't use them now due to the problem of rain ingress [they all fail very quickly] but someone on the forum recommended this company a while ago, and I kept it for some reason. They're supposed to be better quality, but I'm not prepared to spend the money to find out! 

    See what you think  :)
    https://www.powerbee.co.uk/solar-lights.html
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    The big ones in the photo came from The Range and are 3 years old. If really heavy rain is forecast, l move them into the greenhouse just to be on the safe side.
    https://www.therange.co.uk/outdoor-living/outdoor-lighting/solar-lights/solar-square-lantern/#236231
    I have found that the smaller and cheaper light bulb shaped ones from places such as B&M don't last long (be lucky to last the Summer ), and fill up with water very easily. You can empty them out and as long as the connections survive, they will work again, but l wouldn't buy them again.
    You pays your money and takes your choice  :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,140
    I bought some 3 years ago.  Took me gae sto find any that weren't made in China!

    3 of them are lantern style and hang in the polytunnel in case I need to go there after dark for any reason.  They are not turned on unless I'm there.  The 4th is on a spike that sticks in the ground, is about 6 to 8 inches high and max 2" diametre.  It uplights  the structure of an albizia julibrissin which I've crown lifted to show its branching structure.   I didn't get around to placing it till late last summer but it has managed to capture enough energy even thru wet, windy and frosty winter weather and gives a subtle, not blaring light.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Are the lanterns that you bought online only AnniD? Love your garden.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    @Uff, the ones from The Range l bought at the local branch, they are in stock at the moment because l recently bought another three 😊.
    The price has increased this year.
    The one hanging from the pergola at the back of the photo, l bought three of those online last year (or it might have been the year before, it's all a bit of a blur !). They change colour and have even been going during the Winter, albeit only for a short time. 
    If you're interested in those l will see if l can find the receipt as l can't remember where l got them from.
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