Gransnet forums

Gardening

Garden fairy lights - on trend or naff?

(87 Posts)
shysal Tue 18-Jul-17 16:02:49

I am thinking of putting something with solar powered lights on a newish west-facing fence. I have planted climbers but it is rather bare at the moment. I have noticed lights in neighbouring gardens and like some of them. What do GNetters think? These are two of the options I am considering.

shysal Wed 19-Jul-17 09:01:01

Cornergran, I don't know whether the robin is NT, it was a present for cat-sitting.
BlueBelle, the batteries in solar lights do lose their power after a year of two. Some are replaceable though.
I have decided on the butterfly and the fairy lights. Why not?

valeriej43 Wed 19-Jul-17 09:23:01

I have some garden lights which i love to look at when its dark, my main garden is at the back, living room is at the back, so i can always see them
I have some lovely icicle ones, but i think the batteries have run out and not easy to replace, but my globe lights need the batteries replacing which i intend to do this week

cornergran Wed 19-Jul-17 09:25:06

Indeed why not, shysal. smile. Your robin looks like the NT three! If you fancy more there are types which sit directly on the ground, or in our case on a water feature and on two lengths of metal holder. We have one of each. I love them. Our family does not but hey, who cares?

You are right that batteries can be replaced, usually works, sometimes doesn't. Garden Centres sell the replacement batteries. We use re-chargeable batteries in many things and find that putting the original batteryto charge indoors often revitalises them. Just be sure the charger is appropriate for the batteries.

Have fun with your lights. smile.

marmmee Wed 19-Jul-17 10:21:52

I love solar lights in the garden my other half says he is expecting an aeroplane to land coz it looks like a landing strip but i love it so do the grandchildren.

Wilma65 Wed 19-Jul-17 10:25:09

I bought solar lights like the second set in your pics I Bought from Amazon and I bough two sets. They are brilliant. Light up nearly all night. I got up about 3.30 and they were on even though some days the unit for charging was not in full sun. They are on sale at the moment www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DW3HF4A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=gransnetforum-21

moxeyns Wed 19-Jul-17 10:26:23

Who cares whether they're on trend or not? If you want 'em - go for it!

Tudorrose Wed 19-Jul-17 10:37:42

We have 3 lovely metal figures, a cockerel , an owl and a hedgehog. The solar lights can be coloured or white and look gorgeous at night. One persons naff is another's elegant. The garden is the place where your pleasure is what matters.

Sheilasue Wed 19-Jul-17 10:48:52

Must admit they do look pretty in a garden love the butterfly ones.

jacalpad Wed 19-Jul-17 10:57:32

I love the multi-coloured ones in the picture. I had some white ones on my pergola, but the squirrels nibbled through the cable. Hubby managed to mend them on the first occasion, but since then they have been nibbled again, and only about one third of the string works. Apparently they can't be repaired again. confused

goldengirl Wed 19-Jul-17 10:59:34

I love naff gardens - and so do the GC! We have 2 large gnomes and some smaller 'sculptures'as well as larger 'proper' ones and at the first sign of summer out comes the bunting!!! We have fairy lights indoors too which are on most of the year. Love it!

Crazygrandma2 Wed 19-Jul-17 11:01:13

We have several threads of warm white solar lights along the fence. A good feature of them is that if dull and haven't charged they can be charged using a USB lead. I love our lights. My sister's garden is full of solar lights, white, coloured, laser, butterflies, lizards etc etc etc. In my opinion way over the top, but she loves them. All down to personal preference.

Juney64 Wed 19-Jul-17 11:02:46

I bought solar lights years ago but found that they only stayed 'alive' for around 40 minutes and gave off very poor light and that was after days of full sun.

Reading the posts here, it sounds as though they've improved. Can I ask roughly how long they stay in for?

radicalnan Wed 19-Jul-17 11:05:02

Naff ? Isn't that what people with little imagination say about lovely gardens with lights and fairies in? If it brings pleasure then it is wonderful.

Whitewave where did you buy your sleeping Puck?

I have fairies and GDs and an altar with my stuff on it and a stone Goddess with a huge belly (summer pose) and a deity cabinet from Gugerati with a stone Budda in that my neighour gave me ages ago........its not naff because we have fun with it all, AND the big bellies out there make me feel at home.

I have had my garden flattened to make it safer out there following a really bad fall and feel absolutely crushed now, I hate it, so old ladyish and looks like an old people's home.....wish I had left it as it was overflowing with life.....it was the work of last week's thinking and now I am so upset, serves me right. Love you garden.

shysal Wed 19-Jul-17 11:07:25

Gillybob, an Ebay search brings up 328 flamingos in various designs. I fancy this one and the peacocks.

HootyMcOwlface Wed 19-Jul-17 11:09:09

I have two metal chickens (or are they cockerels - might be!) With a tiny solar light in them. Totally naff but I like them!

shysal Wed 19-Jul-17 11:09:52

Photos didn't work, will try again.

shysal Wed 19-Jul-17 11:11:58

That was weird, photos were not on first post but are there now!

Katek Wed 19-Jul-17 11:13:51

We have solar fairy lights round the decking balustrade and also 6 solar light bulbs in our pine tree. They look exactly like old style bulbs but make the tree quite magical. Also love chainsaw carvings and have several toadstools and an eagle

HootyMcOwlface Wed 19-Jul-17 11:16:35

Oooo love that metal cat photo on page 1 and the risqué piggy! There is a big metal giraffe in a shop here, about 6ft tall, I love it, but it may be a step too far do you think?! Haha!

Lynnebo Wed 19-Jul-17 11:36:15

I have loads of solar lights in my garden and after a sunny day they can still be shining until dawn!
I also have solar lights in my front (spare) bedroom window and in the kitchen!!

shysal Wed 19-Jul-17 12:04:49

This has to stop! I have now ordered one of these as well as the two original items.

Llamedos13 Wed 19-Jul-17 12:28:43

I have so many solar lights in my rather long back garden that it has been likened to a landing strip for the local airport.Love them all lit up at night.

Musicelf Wed 19-Jul-17 12:48:46

I love lights - indoors and out. We're currently revamping the garden, so it's dreadfully bare at the moment, and I can't wait until I can put my lights back up. We also have a few woodland creatures - a fox, some rabbits and a hedgehog, as well as a dog and a couple of metal cats. My husband tells me that one day he'll come home with a sheep or cow. I think he's joking.....!!?

Craftycat Wed 19-Jul-17 13:06:47

I have lots or planted pots on patio with a solar light in each one. It looks lovely in the evening reflecting off pond.
We also have motion operated ones on fence on front garden since council started turning street lights off at midnight. More for security than effect.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Wed 19-Jul-17 13:52:41

I think that they can brighten up a dull corner.