Butterflies and birds have numerous benefits for any residential landscape whether you have a small yard or acres of land. Inviting butterflies to your garden is as simple as planting flowering trees and plants to provide them with nectar. Birds love places they can nest and find good sources of food and water.

Attracting Butterflies
Adding a butterfly area to your garden will not only add beauty and color to your landscape, it will also attract other beneficial insects and provide a therapeutic spot that is also interesting to observe and study. To attract butterflies you need to plant flowering trees and shrubs that provide nectar; butterflies’ main food source. Some of our favorites include the elegant Black Knight Butterfly Bush with delicate lavender flowers, the golden Tulip Poplar and the vibrant Purple Lilac.

Attracting Birds
One of the most important things for attracting birds is to providing a safe place for them to nest. Hedgerows such as the Willow Hybrid, Thuja Green Giant, and Nellie Stevens Holly provide great nesting places for Mocking Birds, Robins and Warblers. Rabbit Eye Blueberry, Honeyberry, Black Beauty Mulberry, and Hetz Juniper will also provide them with food.

Hummingbirds
Who can resist the delicate beauty of the hummingbird with its vibrant colors and wings that beat an amazing 12 – 80 times per second? Attracting these colorful creatures to your garden is easy. We have a wide range of colorful shrubs that will draw these winged jewels, including Black Knight Butterfly Bush, Mimosa Tree, Amethyst Falls Wisteria,  and our range of Camellias.

Walls and Fences
You can turn walls and fences into a living haven for birds and butterflies by planning climbing shrubs and vines. The Amethyst Falls Wisteria is perfect for this. Its clusters of hanging, lavender blooms will draw many varieties of butterfly to your garden. Vines such as this not only add color and beauty to your garden, they can also be great nesting places for smaller birds such as Chickadees and Finches.

Water
Water is equally important to birds and butterflies. A birdbath, fountain or other decorative water feature is ideal, but don’t worry if you don’t have room. Small terracotta or stone dishes placed in strategic positions in your garden make great drinking pool and bird baths.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Attracting Butterflies and Birds with your Natural Landscape Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

You don’t need a special event to plant a tree, but it’s as worthy an excuse as any to do something positive for the ecosystem and commemorate an important occasion. The birth of a new baby is a time to rejoice and celebrate a very cherished and meaningful experience, and weddings and anniversaries are also significant occasions that deserve acknowledgment with a symbol of devotion and lasting endurance.  Whether you’re a full-fledged environmentalist or just mindful of the fact that added flora is good for the natural world, planting or bestowing a magnificent live gift, such as a tree, is a creative and ecologically sound way to pay homage to a special occasion and give ongoing recognition to a loved one.

There are several ways to do this:

• Plant a tree in your own yard or send one as a gift
• Get permission to plant your tree on public land
• Have a tree planted in a local or state park
• Support National reforestation by making a donation in honor of your gift recipient

Flowers or candy have a limited shelf life and there is no long lasting memory for the receiver. However, gifting a flowering tree, a rose bush or fruiting tree is sure to give generations of appeal that the person can reminisce over.

Imagine planting a tree when a young baby is born, and then having that child watch the tree mature throughout their lifetime and knowing it was planted in their honor. A tree as a wedding gift is also a beautiful touch where the couple can picnic under on anniversaries or sit quietly on a bench admiring this special treasure that commemorates their special union of love.

Give personal meaning to your landscape when you plant a tree just steps from your door, in an area where you can view it daily and appreciate its ever-changing splendor and majesty.  Watching your special tree flower in spring or seeing the leaves change in the fall brings extraordinary joy in remembering when, why and for whom the tree was initially planted.

Fast Growing Trees  provides ‘gift tree’ services, with a huge selection of beautiful, healthy trees and shrubs that are ideal for marking a special point in time.  Contact any of our expert staff for assistance with choosing the best tree for the region in which it will be planted.  Whether you’re sending a tree as a gift or keeping it for yourself, your gift tree will be delivered promptly, in a secure package with your personal message enclosed, as applicable.

If you live in an urban environment where gardening space is limited, contact Arbor Day Foundation for a state-by-state listing of tree planting organizations and programs for planting trees on public land in your local region.  Some organizations will plant the tree for you, or allow you to assist with the planting, while others will advise you about where you are permitted to plant, and you can do the rest.  Remember, if your tree is planted on unrestricted land, you will always be able to visit it and watch it change and grow, even if you move into a different house or apartment.

There are lots of special occasions that are perfect for planting a commemorative tree to honor a person or unique event. Trees are a gift for the ages–appreciated today, and they go on to make a contribution for generations to come.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Gift Trees – Celebrating Special Events Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

Though its roots are firmly planted in Asia, Bamboo can now be cultivated in nearly every region around the world, making it one of the most functional wood producing plants on earth.  Because it matures quickly, Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular as a building material in a growing number of countries all over the globe.

Often mistakenly referred to as a tree, Bamboo is actually a perennial species of fast-growing evergreen grass.  Adaptable and easy-going, Bamboo is fairly unproblematic and works superbly for many landscaping initiatives. As an added bonus, Bamboo is a very “green” and earth-friendly flora, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing more oxygen than any other plant on the planet.

Treat Bamboo plants like you would any other perennials in the garden. Adaptable to most soil types, Bamboo is not happy in clay soil, so it is advisable to improve your soil conditions before planting.  Gypsum is quite useful in breaking up clay soils, and you can also add organic matter in the form of peat moss, compost, manure, coarse sand, crushed leaves and any other macrobiotic mulching materials.  Put down a good thick layer and then plow it under to build a nice deep layer of bedding soil.

The best time to plant Bamboo is in the spring, after the threat of all frosts has passed. Water just to keep the soil moist, and maintain a 2-inch layer of shredded bark or any type of natural mulch around the base of your plants to help the soil retain moisture and to protect the roots from extreme cold.  Bamboo can even be maintained in a water feature, as long as the roots are kept completely submerged.  If placed in a vase or fish bowl type container, just add a few drops of plant food each month after you change the water, or if you’re growing your Bamboo in a pond where the water is filtered, you won’t need to do a thing.

Most Bamboo plants should be located in areas that receive indirect sunlight, as this plant grows wild in dense, shady forests and does not appreciate too much direct sun. However, our Sunset Glow Bamboo is very tolerant of direct sun, as well as heat and drought conditions. Sunset Glow is a dwarf variety, making it very popular with gardeners who have limited growing space.

Because Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, it has also earned a reputation for being rather wild and out-of-control when left to its own devices.  Yet, our Black Bamboo grows as much as 10-12 feet per year, and is never invasive or ill-mannered.  Drought tolerant, low maintenance and adaptable to most soils and climates, is it any wonder Black Bamboo is the most in-demand bamboo on the market today.  For a dramatic display, try planting Black Bamboo in rows at 3-4 foot intervals, and in no time at all you’ll be enjoying an exotic privacy screen that’s both functional and picturesque.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: An Easy Guide to Bamboo Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

Topiary is basically a formal way of referring to a living plant sculpture. This official form of landscape gardening dates back to 23 A.D., where cypress trees, pruned into various shapes, adorned notable architectural buildings in Ancient Rome.  Today, topiaries are fashionable for both indoor décor, as well as outside design.  Typically, indoor topiaries are done on a small scale and kept simple and clean.  An outdoor design can be much larger and more elaborate, oftentimes involving a plant being trained to grow inside a wire form, with clipping and trimming to enhance the shape.

There are three basic styles to consider for your topiary:

1. Free-form style – This requires the use of woody-stemmed plants.  This topiary would have a bare stem that is topped with a ball of vegetation.  Herbs are often used for this style and grow nicely in a window in the kitchen.  Lemon verbena, bay and rosemary are good choices for this design.
2. Basket style – This presents the same look as the free-form style, but because you utilize a basket on the top to create the bush ball, you’re able to choose different varieties of plants for the top and bottom, giving the appearance of mature topiary immediately.
3. Multilayered topiary – A form is used for support, allowing plant material to grow upwards while following the shape of the form.  This versatile style is great for small scale projects that look natural in a foundation bed or for creating a large accent piece to adorn the middle of your yard.

For option number 1 – Choose a small rooted cutting of your desired plant.  Select a small pot, with or without a drainage hole at the bottom and deep enough to bury a chopstick half way, which will be the support for the plant.  Place some gravel on the bottom of the pot for drainage, and gently push the chopstick into the gravel, near the center of the pot.  Fill the container half way up with an all-purpose potting soil.  Place your plant in the center near the stick and continue to fill the pot with soil, adjusting the stick as necessary to keep it straight and upright.  With garden pruners, remove any stems and leaves along the main trunk of the plant, stopping near the top where you want to start your ball shape.  Secure the trunk to the stick with a few pieces of soft twine.  Hand prune to start the general shape of the globe at the top, and pinch any shoots to encourage more growth.  As the ball fills in, keep clipping to shape and pinching shoots until you achieve the fullness you desire.

For option number 2 – Select the appropriate sized pot to house the topiary you desire.  Make sure the pot has a drainage hole at the bottom.  You’ll need some type of topiary system, which you can purchase at any nursery, or you can construct your own.  To begin, place the center pole over the drainage hole, and pour in a layer of small pebbles around the pole.  Stabilize the pole with the included circular metal support or bottom basket, whichever comes with the system you purchased.  Next, add a multipurpose potting soil to the pot and begin the planting process.  Choose plants with similar growing requirements.  Plant some ivy at the center, which you can train to grow up the pole for camouflage.  Line the top basket with sphagnum moss or coconut fibers and either place a decorative pot full of brilliant posies in there or plant your own assortment.

For option number 3 – You’ll need a topiary form, which can be purchased at any nursery or you can construct your own from wire fencing or simple coat hangers.  For this topiary style, the plants you choose should be climbers, such as ivy or trumpet vines.  Once you’ve chosen your plant material, the next step is to secure the form to the container.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions included with your purchased form, or if you’re constructing your own form, seek the advice of the experts at your favorite nursery.  Once the form is secured, add some drainage material to the bottom of the container and top with potting soil to about half way up the pot.  Place at least one plant on each side of the form and fill in with more potting soil.  To train the plant material, wind one stem at a time around the form, alternating the stems from one side to the other, and secure with soft twine.  This design will take some time to fill in, so patience is required, along with some trimming, pinching and shaping to achieve a beautifully shaped, full bodied piece of garden art.

Let your artistic juices flow, and have fun crafting your own personal collection of living sculptures.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: How to Create a Simple Topiary Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

Coping with the death of someone you know is never easy, but here at Fast-Growing-Trees.com we like to believe that our loved ones would want us to celebrate their life rather than dwell on death. There’s no better portrayal of the intrinsic beauty and power of life, than to plant a living tree as a compelling tribute to a beloved friend or family member who has passed on.  This enduring memorial provides a peaceful place for reflection and recollection, while helping reduce the stress and sorrow of those left behind.

Instead of sending flowers when someone has died, a Memorial Tree is a lasting monument to the life of your loved one that will not be thrown out after the funeral. It’s a wonderful living tribute to a dear person that can be visited by those who want to treasure strong memories of the individual they are honoring with this special gift. Generations of family members can enjoy the memory of the individual for years to come.

Fast Growing Trees  provides Memorial Trees, with a huge selection of beautiful, healthy trees, ideal for expressing condolences for the loss of a loved one.  Contact any of our expert staff for assistance with choosing the best tree for the region in which it will be planted.  Your gift tree will be delivered promptly in a secure package with your personal message enclosed.

If your gift recipient resides in an urban area with little or no space for planting a tree, don’t fret as we have smaller options for tight spaces that can be planted virtually anywhere—even a patio or balcony. We have customers who have selected Knock Out Rose bushes and even a fruit tree as an option.

Trees and plants are good for the environment and can stand the test of time, growing and flourishing for decades as a living memorial to those who’ve passed. Your Memorial Tree provides shelter for wildlife, and just viewing a beautiful tree and birds and small animals that call it home can help reduce our stress and make us feel better. We suggest adding a plaque at the base of the tree with your loved one’s name; or a small bench where family members can sit to reminiscence about the wonderful memories they experienced with their family member.

If sending a fading bouquet of cut flowers just doesn’t fit the circumstance, consider giving a lasting dedication to honor the memory of the dearly departed. These gifts make great pet memorials too.  When you need to select the perfect memorial, consider giving the gift of a live tree–strong, enduring, giving and growing. It’s a steadfast and thoughtful reminder of those who have passed on to create a living memory.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Remember a Loved One by Planting a Living Tree in their Memory Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

Fresh cut greens and dried flowers from the garden make lovely and fragrant decorative wreaths. They are super easy to make, and can adorn a wall or door year round or serve as special occasion touches for holidays and family events.

Your garden is a great place to look for plants or flowers to make your wreath. If you’re wondering about terrific plant options to grow for wreath making, consider some these useful varieties:

Camellia or Magnolia leaves and branches are long lasting and provide a nice base for a wreath. The scent provided from Pine or Eucalyptus branches also brings a dash of aroma into the home too.

Color plays an important role when choosing to make a wreath depending on the season. For example, a holiday wreath with American Holly branches sporting their red winter berries adds an extra decorative touch.

Dried Pomegranate seed pods are unique and fitting in an autumn wreath, while Hydrangea blooms in lovely pastel shades of green and purple are super simple to dry and are very long lasting. Dried roses make a pretty springtime garland that makes impact to perk up a doorway frame or mantel.

Since Yellow and Red Twig Dogwood branches are pliable to shape, they are perfect for winter wreaths as they bring vibrant splashes of color and the twigs give nice texture in the wreath. They are so pretty that you can leave these on their own with just a ribbon.

One of the easiest ways to make a wreath is to start with a two wire coat hangers. The top of the hanger will serve a hook for hanging the wreath.

1.    Connect the hangers with wire and cover with floral tape.

2.    Cut several 8” to 10” branches of base greenery such as Magnolia leaves.

3.    Attach to the base using lightweight floral wire by overlapping the branches until you’ve got full coverage.

5.    Pick out colored flowers or seeds and attach with either floral wire of hot glue.

6.    Adorn with colored ribbon, charms or wooden cutouts to suit your decor.

7.    Hang the wreath inside or outside on a door.

Of course, Styrofoam, wood, metal, and plastic can also be used for a wreath base. DIY books and manuals are easily found in craft stores or your local library. There are plenty of helpful websites with loads of step-by-step plans and photos to get the task done.

Whatever avenue taken, anyone who is even slightly crafty can make beautiful wreaths for their home or to give as gifts. Making wreaths is a great family activity for children and adults alike, and they make a nice finishing touch to any décor and will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Using Garden Greens to Create an Inexpensive Wreath Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

With the holiday season right around the corner, there’s no better time to start thinking about the yummy pies you can whip up from sweet home-grown treats found in your own backyard orchard.  Crafting pastries that look and taste like fine culinary artwork may seem a bit out of reach to the average cook with little baking experience, but don’t be intimidated because once you know the experts’ secrets, you’ll be turning out one masterpiece after another.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, and this adage holds true for pie.  Whether concocted from nuts, meat, custard or fruit, these delectable pastries have come a long way since the Neolithic Period beginning around 9500 B.C., where historians have tracked the roots of what we refer to today as “pie.”  Though some of the ingredients have evolved over the years, as have the baking methods and tools used for preparation, the basic foundation of pie remains the same as it was back then–it was and still is a sweet and delicious treat.

A flaky, well-put-together crust is the key to attaining pie nirvana, and it’s surprisingly simpler than you’d think.  Here are a few tips from the professionals:

• Start with the right pan. Avoid shiny metal, disposable aluminum pans, or dark metal pans, which either prevent crusts from browning or cause crusts to brown too much.  For best results, use a glass, ceramic or dull-metal pie pan.
• Keep your ingredients cold. If you want your shell to hold its shape and bake into a brilliant flaky crust, make sure your butter and/or shortening is as cold as possible. Always use ice water rather than tepid water when incorporating the dough.
• Minimize mixing, rolling and handling. Overworking the dough produces a tough crust that is anything but light and flaky.  For best results, pulse your ingredients together quickly in a food processor, adding ice water by the tablespoonful until the dough just holds together. Add one teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice as part of your liquid, to bake a more tender crust with less shrinkage.  Depending upon whether you’re making a single or double-crust pie, form your dough into one or two round discs, wrap in saran and refrigerate for at least an hour before rolling.  To avoid tough pastry dough, go easy on the flour when rolling.  Work as quickly as you can, always rolling from the center in one direction and turning the dough a quarter turn with each roll, until you get an even disc that will fit your pie plate.
• Make the transfer clean and simple. Loosely roll the pastry over the rolling pin and unroll it over the pie plate, gently pressing it into place.  Cut excess dough to a ½ inch overhang and fold ends under for an even edge, using scraps to patch any splits or holes you may have created when pressing your dough into the pan.  At this point, you can freeze your pie shell for future use, or bake it according to your specific pie recipe’s instructions.

So many pies, so little time, but here’s a few of our preferred suggestions.  If pecan is on your list of desired holiday pies, the Pawnee Pecan is one of the tastiest varieties around.  When baking America’s favorite, apple pie, consider using two or three different types for a great balance of flavors and textures. Tart and firm McIntosh combines well with the sweet and crisp Yellow Delicious, and you can never go wrong with a Pink Lady in this mix.  There is nothing better than a heavenly slice of lemon meringue pie, and the Meyer Lemon is naturally sweet and perfect for creating this delightful delicacy.  Delicious recipes can always be found when you surf the Internet.

Peach, pear, blueberry, strawberry! With so many lip smacking options, you could try a new pie for every week in the year.  Plant a fruit or nut tree now so you can harvest the perfect ingredients for your pies next season!

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Baking Pies with Garden Fruit Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

The wreath has long been a part of cultures going all the way back to ancient times, when members of royalty wore garlands of foliage on their heads like a crown (think Julius Caesar!). It is thought that the tradition of hanging a wreath may have come from a person who so adored their garland and did not want to discard it, and instead chose to display it on a wall for all to admire.

Autumn signals the beginning of what many call the most festive and beloved holiday season, and if you count yourself among that group, what better way to express your adoration than with some decorative trimmings at your entryway? Welcome your guests with warm and inviting shades of fall, using a variety of natural textures, as well as manufactured materials.

Check out your local craft stores for basic wreath-making supplies to get you started.  Then take a walk around your garden—and you’ll be amazed at the beautiful (and free!) ornaments you’ll uncover.

For the base of your wreath, consider materials such as:

• Dried twisted grapevine
• Dried twisted willow
• Pressed straw
• Craft wire cages in various shapes
• Foam rings
• Fresh-cut or artificial pine boughs

Embellishments for your wreath:

• Pine cones and acorns
• Fresh and preserved leaves (spray painted in warm fall shades or left natural)
• Sprigs of berries
• Bronze, gold, and burgundy colored glass balls
• Paper ribbons, bows and raffia
• Fresh and dried flowers
• Small gourds, pumpkins, artificial fruits or small corn cobs
• Pre-made fall picks (scarecrows, miniature bird houses, etc.) available at craft stores

Limited only by your own imagination, there is an endless bounty of festive trimmings to embellish your wreath with the flavor of fall.  For that extra special touch, you may wish to include fresh items such as cut flowers, sprigs of pine or rosemary, as well as pine cones or crab apples that will perfume your surroundings with the heady fragrances of the season.

Start with your preferred base material, assemble all your chosen treasures at the work space and prepare to tap into your creative genius.  If you need some inspiration, surf the web for an infinite number of design ideas for holiday wreaths and décor, or leaf through craft magazines for a look that strikes your fancy.  Now it’s time to invite a few friends over, drink some spiced cider, heat up the glue guns and let the good times roll.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Great Ideas for Fall Wreaths Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

Misconceptions and lies abound on the subject of fresh cut Christmas trees each holiday season used to confound buyers. Many of these false tales are usually started by people that are simply uninformed and by the artificial tree companies, who make billions of dollars each year with their imported Chinese trees.

The honest truth is that freshly cut holiday trees are environmentally friendly, cheaper, safer, require no storage space to store and have that wonderful pine scent that is just a traditional part of the Christmas season. Be sure to buy your tree grown right here in the good ol’ USA!

Don’t be fooled by these 4 phony myths designed to bamboozle the average Christmas tree shopper:

You can Re-use an Artificial Tree Each Year: Most fake trees have a lifespan of about 7-10 years before they are tossed out by their owners. They end up getting raggedy, collecting dust, become infested with spiders and bugs and just start looking dull. No matter how long you keep your artificial tree, it will eventually end up headed to a landfill—and since they’re made from PVC plastic and metal, it is not something that is going to break down in a landfill. Fake trees are terrible for our environment! A farmed tree will biodegrade very quickly and is completely recyclable and converted to mulch. Most local towns have Christmas tree recycling programs that collect trees once you put it on the curb—so they don’t end up in landfills and are super environmentally positive.

Cutting Down a Live Christmas tree is the Same as De-Forestation: False!

Almost all holiday trees are planted on farms designed specifically for the purpose of growing Christmas pines. Just like a vegetable or fruit farmer plants new crop to harvest every season, a tree farmer also puts in new seedlings for every tree that is cut down. You are NOT doing damage to the environment by using a live Christmas tree. In fact, over 500 million trees are grown on tree farms in America. Buying a live tree actually helps the economy in the USA, while most artificial trees come from China.

Real Christmas are Very Expensive: Tree prices vary based on where you live, how big it is and even by who is selling it. You can spend $20 or you can spend $100. There’s always a fresh cut tree to fit your budget. The artificial tree industry would like for you to believe that it’s cheaper to buy a fake tree claiming you ultimately save money over the long term. This is completely untrue, as anyone who has gone shopping for a holiday tree can assert that these trees are very expensive and can go up as high as $1,000. Even a mid-range tree priced at $300 would mean that it would take at least 15 years to make your money back—and that would be pretty tough to do considering that the lifespan of these trees is not that long. It actually ends up being cheaper to use a live tree—AND you don’t have to deal with the storage hassle every year.

Artificial Trees are Safer: This is the biggest falsehood out there. Most artificial trees are made in Chinese factories from nasty PVC plastics containing dangerous chemicals and even lead. In fact, many artificial trees come with a big warning label on them (the state of California requires it)! Additionally, the makers of fake trees love to tell consumers that live trees are a fire hazard. What they are not telling you is that nearly 30% of fires caused by a holiday tree are actually attributed to artificial ones. To be fair, live trees that have been cut months before they go on sale are potentially drying out, so we suggest buying a live tree from a reputable resource such as our sister site www.brighterblooms.com, which will provide trees that are freshly cut when you order them so you are assured a tree with lots of moisture to last the whole holiday season.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: The 4 Biggest Myths About Fresh Cut Christmas Trees No One Wants You to Know Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog

As the public becomes more and more committed to the idea of seeking alternative energy sources, solar lighting is a leading paradigm in this worthwhile endeavor.  Since seriously hitting the residential market about 10 years ago, solar landscape lighting has definitely made significant advances in both quality and effective practicality.

Solar powered outdoor lighting is now available in so many attractive styles, colors and sizes, that they’ll conform to virtually any outdoor plan, be it prim and proper or casual. The performance, durability and efficiency of the solar light has improved dramatically over the years, wowing us with longer-lasting, brighter lighting, that actually uses less battery power while providing more wattage than ever before. Taking the “green” incentive and going solar in the garden is positively good for the environment, as well as the pocketbook.

Choose from a variety of different landscape solar lighting types, such as accent lights, path lights, and task and spotlights, depending upon your needs:

Accent lights add just a pleasant glow that set an ambient mood and draw the eye to an area, but don’t necessarily provide enough wattage to illuminate anything. Typically constructed using multi-crystalline solar cells, these accent lights will even take a charge on a cloudy day or when located in somewhat shaded areas.

As a rule, path lights will put out a bit more light than your basic accent light.  Perfect for jazzing up a lifeless or shadowy driveway, highlighting a front walkway or winding garden path, or marking the perimeter of a deck or patio and lighting the way along a set of stairs–solar path lights are available in a multitude of styles with a pretty fair selection of features.

Task lights and spotlights provide the highest wattage output, and are ideal for highlighting particularly handsome trees or shrubs, garden statues, fountains or topiaries.  Although solar garden lights can not yet compete with a standard 100-watt outdoor flood light, a high-quality solar fixture with a good LED can produce a beam of light equivalent to about a 40-watt incandescent spotlight, which is an impressive amount of light when you consider it doesn’t harm the environment in any way and it’s complimentary.

You’ll want to select solar garden lights, designed with a sufficient number of panels to ensure that you get the performance you’re seeking.  Look for units that allow for the use of LED’s rather than conventional filament bulbs.  LED’s provide brighter lighting, while emitting far less heat; and as outdoor temperatures drop, LED’s generate even brighter light, due to their design.

Aside from the usual mounting methods, such as ground spikes, hanging hooks or flange mounts that allow for a wide choice of positioning options, one of the best features to look for is the ability to mount your light separately from the solar panel.  Look for lights that have very long wires, as this allows you to position the light fixture where you need it, while the solar panel can be placed in an area where it will receive full sun. Also look for solar lights that have a high-low power button, a timer feature, or an on-off switch that will allow you to store the charge.

Nearly all solar lights are weatherproof and UV protected.  As with any product you buy, do your homework and look for the most durable, best quality lights that come with positive reviews and a warranty if you can get it.  You may pay a bit more, but your lights will work better and last longer.

Author: Pam Zboch Permalink: Solar Landscape Lighting Blog: Fast Growing Trees Nursery Blog