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Gardens can come to life with light and sound using solar garden decorations. Advances in miniature solar panels have paved the way for solar fountains, garden decorations, outdoor lighting, and a host of other options that compliment a yard both day and night.

A trademark of many gardens and patios is the solar lantern staked into the ground. While one of the first solar lighting products on the market, lanterns still remain popular and are available in an incredible variety of styles and materials. Many sets now come with a single and movable solar panel, which allow for lanterns placed in shadowy areas to still burn brightly at night.

Outdoor string lights have long been a favorite for holidays and parties. Solar-powered string lights allow for constant use without a switch or a plug. Some strings are designed to accommodate pre-made or original Chinese lanterns; others take the form of a rope light.

Adjustable solar landscape lighting allows for the illumination of trees, walls and garden artifacts. Without the need for a power source, placement of solar landscape lighting is easy and flexible, even at the edges of a property or driveway.

There is something magical about the running water of a fountain being powered by nothing more or less than the sun high above. These soothing garden sounds can be enjoyed minus the guilt of pulling excess electricity from the grid. Placing multiple fountains by doors and windows brings the sound of running water inside the house.

Solar garden decorations have allowed designers to give new life to their creations. A garden fairy once hidden by darkness now has her face brought to light by the glowing orb in her hands. Another flash of light turns out to be a small lantern carried by a gnome. These touches give the night garden a life of its own.

For the backyard connoisseur who must have it all, a solar patio umbrella provides both an attractive and practical solution. During the day solar cells gather energy as the umbrella provides shade; during the night LED lights on the underside of the umbrella provide light for meals and socializing. The system can be turned off at any time and the solar cells will continue to gather energy.

Adding motion, sound and lighting to the yard without the guilt of wasting energy provides a special satisfaction. Solar lights and garden decor are here to stay and new products constantly enter the market. In addition to bringing enjoyment, they can also be surprisingly easy to set up and economical to purchase.

Learn more about this author, Robert Mann.
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