Lighting for Gardens was delighted to welcome members of the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD) for a daytime seminar dedicated to the principles of professional garden lighting. As the UK's professional body for garden and landscape designers, the SGLD is committed to promoting excellence in landscape design and supporting its members through education, collaboration and the sharing of industry knowledge.
The seminar was presented by Philip Milner, Brendon Manggos and Andy Bowes, part of the , Technical Team at Lighting for Gardens. Between them, they have decades of experience in the garden and landscape lighting industry, working alongside garden designers, landscape architects and installers to create high-quality outdoor lighting schemes. Drawing on that experience, they shared practical advice, proven lighting techniques and real-world project examples to help designers make the most of lighting within their own projects.
Throughout the seminar, attendees explored how carefully considered lighting can completely transform a garden after dark. Rather than simply adding illumination, effective lighting enhances structure, creates atmosphere and allows outdoor spaces to be enjoyed long into the evening.
One of the key topics covered was the wide range of lighting techniques available to landscape designers. Philip and Brendon demonstrated how uplighting can be used to showcase specimen trees and architectural planting, while grazing highlights the texture of walls, timber and natural stone. Other techniques, including wall washing, shadowing, silhouetting and moonlighting, illustrated how thoughtful positioning of light creates depth, drama and visual interest while maintaining a natural appearance.
Using a collection of professionally photographed projects, the presentation showed how successful lighting schemes are achieved through careful planning rather than excessive brightness. The examples demonstrated how subtle lighting can define pathways, showcase water features, highlight mature planting and create inviting outdoor spaces that remain enjoyable long after sunset.
The seminar also explored one of the most common discussions within garden lighting—the choice between 12-volt low-voltage systems and 240-volt installations. Drawing on many years of practical experience, Philip and Brendon explained the strengths of both approaches while discussing why low-voltage systems are often the preferred solution for professional garden lighting projects. The session covered safety, flexibility, installation methods and long-term maintenance, helping attendees better understand which approach is best suited to different applications.
Tree lighting formed another important part of the seminar, with guidance on selecting beam angles, positioning luminaires and adapting lighting techniques to suit different tree forms and canopy structures. From pleached avenues to mature specimen trees, the presentation demonstrated how understanding the character of each tree leads to more balanced and visually impressive lighting schemes.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for members of the SGLD to exchange ideas, ask questions and discuss the opportunities and challenges surrounding professional garden lighting. We would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to such an engaging and enjoyable day. As a proud Registered Affiliate Member of the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers, Lighting for Gardens is committed to working alongside the design community, sharing technical expertise and helping create exceptional outdoor spaces through thoughtful lighting design.
