SLHL: Do you provide the lights for homeowners or can they use their own?
Mark: We do provide the lights, but if the customer would like to use their own then we will work with them on a time-and-material basis.

SLHL: When is the best time to call to set up an appointment for holiday lighting?
Mark: When thinking about holiday lighting, it best to call late September to mid-October to ensure your lights are up in time to enjoy them throughout the holiday season.

Editor’s note: With work done outside, this is the time of year gardeners begin to dream about next year’s plantings. This charming garden began as a personal, then family, project that the parents and also their children now wish to share with a wider audience. To protect their privacy, they have requested we not use their names. You can read more about the family’s gardening adventures, accompanied by beautiful photography, at www.spygarden.com.

Don't let your holiday gift-buying list stump you. For the gardener in your life, consider one of these great gift ideas from local area landscapers.

When it came to his garden, John Moore knew what he wanted. He needed a place to decompress when he left work as a certified financial planner and senior vice president at Morgan Stanley. “I’m in an office all day long,” he explains.  “ When I leave work, I want to be outdoors. And I’m fairly high strung. I want to keep moving.”

After a dip in the pool or a day working in the yard, the best respite from the summer heat is a refreshing shower surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature and fresh air.

one: Wildwood pool house outdoor shower, by Upchurch Architects, Inc. Photography by Hester + Hardaway.

two: Patio shower, by Osborne Architects. Photography by Polly Osborne.

Create the ultimate outdoor experience with furnishings and accessories. Don’t sacrifice style and comfort just because it’s the outdoors. Equip your living space with items that are as tasteful as your indoor décor.

one: Iron candleholder, available at Gifted Gardener.

two: Teak lantern, available at Gifted Gardener.

three: Cocktail table base, Aviano collection, by Tommy Bahama for Lexington, available at KDR Designer Showrooms.