Uplights

Uplights: the most impressive way to illuminate your garden

An uplight is a fitting that is completely recessed into the ground and shines upwards from below. The result is majestic: trees, shrubs and architectural elements are lit from the earth, creating a dramatic yet refined night-time effect. By day there is nothing to see — in the evening your garden looks like a professionally lit park.

Garden Lights uplights operate on safe 12V and connect to the same flex cable system as all other Garden Lights fittings. No electrician needed, no permits — simply install it yourself and enjoy the results.

When to choose uplights — and when to choose ground spots?

Uplights are the better choice when you want the lighting itself to remain completely invisible. They disappear into the ground and show only the lit object. Ground spots sit above ground and are more flexible to move and adjust, but are visible as fittings during the day.

• Large specimen trees — uplights give trees of 3 metres and taller impressive crown lighting from below
• Shrubs and borders — emphasise the texture and shape of ornamental plants and perennials
• Walls and hedge screens — shine along a brick wall or green hedge for an elegant wash-light effect
• Gates and pillars — accentuate entrances and architectural elements
• Pond edges — illuminate the edge of a water feature for an atmospheric reflection effect
• Garden statues and sculptures — put an object centre stage in your garden's spotlight

Uplights in the ground: invisible by day, stunning at night

The recessed housing of Garden Lights uplights sits flush with ground level. By day you see only a small cover grill or glass plate, barely noticeable among grass or soil. Once the lighting comes on in the evening, that same unobtrusive fitting transforms into a powerful light source that illuminates an entire tree from below.

The protection rating IP67 makes uplights particularly suitable for use in wet conditions: beside ponds, in clay or loamy soil that can remain damp for extended periods, or in areas with heavy water drainage. The LED light sources consume only 3 to 8 watts per fitting and last up to 50,000 hours.

How many uplights do I need per tree?

As a rule of thumb: the larger the tree, the more uplights you need for an even all-round effect.

• Small ornamental tree (up to 3 metres) — 1 uplight is sufficient for an attractive light accent
• Medium-sized tree (3–6 metres) — 2 to 3 uplights distributed around the trunk
• Large tree (more than 6 metres) — 4 or more uplights for complete all-round coverage

Position uplights 30 to 60 cm from the base of the trunk, depending on the tree's width. Angle the light beam diagonally upwards along the trunk to beautifully illuminate both the bark and the branching.

Installing uplights: easier than you think

For installation you dig a narrow trench for the flex cable and a small pit sized for the fitting. The uplight is anchored with a supplied recessed housing. Via the push-through connector you click the cable in place — no soldering, no cutting, no electrician. After covering with soil the installation disappears completely.

Combine multiple uplights on one transformer. Keep the total wattage of all fittings within the transformer's capacity, with 20% reserve. Garden Lights offers transformers from 24W to 150W, so even large installations are possible.

Combine uplights for a layered lighting plan

Uplights are at their strongest as part of a larger lighting scheme. Combine them with ground spots on smaller shrubs and borders, add decklights along the decking and wall lighting on the pergola. Want to control everything from your phone? Then discover the Garden Lights Smart series for dimming and time switches.

View the complete Garden Lights range at Boender Outdoor or shop all garden accessories. Want to tackle the whole outdoor space? Also check out our lounge sets or garden sets.

Also read: 10 garden lighting ideas for your garden · Installing garden lighting: Garden Lights 12V system explained