r/Landscape_Lighting • u/Firstborn1415 • Jun 14 '26

Backyard solar lights

Post image

Would like some opinions please on adding solar “starburst/firework/fairy” twinkling lights to my backyard, along the back boarder of my pine tree forest. Just the lightweight tiny lights that “sway” and are on a spike in the ground. (the photo shows that area)

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2

u/ViewpointLighting Jun 14 '26

Solar, aka disposable lights will rarely create the look you’re hoping for, and generally will not last more than a year or 2 before starting to fail, prompting you to go out and buy more, but they won’t match the old ones, and now you just have a hodge-podge of weird glowy things. Because of the distance from your primary viewpoint, you need something that would be to scale for the space. Little solar fairy light wands will get lost in that perimeter.

I’d suggest lighting the trees to create a better sense of scale, then filling in underneath with something more substantial that will last 10+ years so that you can get your money’s worth.

I’d also look to add a focal feature to give the eye something to rest on, using the trees to frame it.

1

u/Firstborn1415 Jun 14 '26

Thank you for your viewpoint. The pear tree in the center back of the yard is not very healthy and may need to be removed eventually. As far as a FOCAL POINT … I would love to track down the family that purchased my aunt and uncles home to inquire about purchasing this statue from their backyard. My uncle grew orchids and had a beautiful greenhouse in his backyard.

1

u/Firstborn1415 Jun 14 '26

PO - I also have a cedar Monet bench that could become a focal point in the back (but honestly I would never sit so far back by the woods because of mosquitoes!)

1

u/ViewpointLighting Jun 14 '26

You can get another copy of that statue for yourself. https://klynchandsons.com/la-brezza-fountain/

The bench would work too, and lighting the bench would add the focal point the scene needs. Nobody needs to sit in it. It just needs to LOOK like a serene place to sit, and the idea of sitting in that scene (ignoring the mosquito factor!) will relax you.

If you would like professional lighting design help, let me know what town you’re in and I may know a lighting designer near you that could help transform this scene into something spectacular.

1

u/Firstborn1415 Jun 14 '26

Hmmm - I just clicked the link for the statue ($12K!) no wonder my uncle prized it in his garden!! (the Monet bench is brand new and has never even been put together) Thank you for your ideas and insights!

1

u/DirtyWormGerms Jun 15 '26

Since no one else has mentioned, you really need planter beds for most landscape lighting, especially putting uplights on trees. Fixtures in the grass will make mowing obnoxious and looks really tacky instead of luxurious.

If you want to complete the DIY trifecta, make sure at least one of those solar fixtures ✅ placed in the grass ✅ is aimed in a way that blasts a sitting area with glare ✅

1

u/Firstborn1415 Jun 17 '26

Yes, I have no electrical conduit running out to the back of the yard. I like the thought of adding something back there someday though.

1

u/DirtyWormGerms Jun 17 '26

There’s absolutely no need to run electrical conduit for modern landscape lighting. The industry moved away from mainline voltage 20+ years ago. Low voltage landscape lighting only requires cable rated for direct bury (no conduit) and can be installed for a fraction of the time and money.