Home Light Post Landscaping Ideas

Place a few light posts strategically in your front yard to subtly illuminate the path to your front door, add character to your property and give it a stately appearance. Landscape around the light post so it blends with the surroundings as opposed to standing out and looking unnatural and unrealistic. Plant flowering climbers at the base of light posts for a burst of color, or create flowerbeds around them filled with easy-to-care-for plants.

Light Post Selection

There are many different styles of light posts on the market today, with the popular ones including classical, contemporary and colonial. They are made from wood, aluminum, brass, copper, bronze and forged iron. Select a light post that blends with the style of your house. Although the majority of light posts are powered by an electrical source, recent advancements in science and technology have made solar-powered lights a viable option.

Location

Light posts are commonly installed near a mailbox, at the beginning of a walkway or end of a driveway, and along an entrance. These are also strategically placed in a backyard to highlight landscaping features such as a gazebo, pool or deck. Avoid adding light posts too close to one another in a small area, but consider installing several spaced equally apart along a long path.

Vines and Climbers

Plant climbing vines such as Virginia creeper, English ivy and morning glory at the base of your light post and watch them grow and spread over it, covering it in green foliage so it blends with the surrounding landscape. Fasten chicken wire around vines such as clematis and morning glory that need support of some kind to climb. Make sure you prune the vine frequently to prevent the foliage from shading the light itself. Create a tiny square or round flowerbed around the base of the post and plant several similar colored flowers there to make the transition from lawn to post smooth and color the spot.

Small Flower Garden

Plant a "mini garden" around your light post that includes tall, trailing and bushy plants. Grow tall flowering plants in the back and short bushy ones in front. Also drill a nail or hook on the post and mount a hanging basket with trailing plants or tiny flowers to arouse interest at various levels. The size of your mini-garden depends on personal choice, but you want to create a colorful spot that gives a beautiful effect when light falls on it. Also hang chimes on the post, or place a statue of an animal at the base for a whimsical effect.