A well-lit outdoor space improves function and shows off your garden’s beauty to guests and passersby. Low-voltage landscape lighting is relatively easy to install and safe for children and pets.

Pathway and walkway lights use canopies atop 18- to 24-inch posts to reflect light down into planting beds or as pathway markers. They come in a range of styles and finishes. Click Here for more information.

Uplighting is a technique that uses lights positioned above ground level and pointed upward to illuminate tree trunks, the first few layers of foliage, or decorative planters. These lights tend to be more subtle and have a natural effect. When used correctly, uplighting can highlight key features of your landscape and create a beautiful evening environment.

When choosing fixtures for uplighting, you want to make sure they are rated for outdoor use. Using an indoor-rated fixture outside may cause the bulb to fail more quickly than it would in a normal household setting. This can result in more frequent replacements and additional costs.

There are many different types of landscape uplights, but some of the most popular are garden lights and wash lights. These fixtures feature canopies on top of metal posts that reflect light downwards – perfect for lighting up planters, flower beds, or walkways. Other uplighting options include tiki torches and other accent lights that provide a more dramatic effect.

If you’re thinking of adding uplighting to your landscape, we encourage you to reach out and contact our team to schedule an onsite consultation. We’ll walk you through the process of how our expert lighting designers will help you achieve your desired look, while keeping in mind other important factors like safety and function.

We’ll also take into consideration your budget so you know up front how much you can expect the project to cost. Once we have all the details, we’ll submit a detailed proposal and estimate that can be used as a guide during the installation process.

It’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetic beauty of landscape lighting, but remember that it’s not just for show. It’s an investment that provides both function and safety for you, your family, friends, and guests after the sun goes down. A well-lit walkway can prevent people from tripping over things left on the ground or navigating stairs. It can also deter burglars and vandals by making your home more difficult to break into. In addition, well-lit entrances will safely guide you to your car after dark.

Downlighting

Lighting for your home and garden can have a huge impact. Whether you want to set a festive mood for entertaining, highlight an architectural feature or simply illuminate your path to the door, landscape lighting is a great investment. It will increase the amount of time you spend outside and improve your safety and security.

The best landscape lighting creates a soft, warm glow. There are two major lighting techniques used to accomplish this – uplighting and downlighting. Uplighting involves lights mounted above ground level, shining light upward, while downlighting involves lighting from the top at or near the ground. When combined, uplighting and downlighting are the perfect combination to create a warm, inviting landscape.

Spotlights are one of the most common landscape lighting fixtures and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Typically, they are lamp-ready (with a bulb) and can be customized in terms of color temperature, lumens, beam spread and more. They also last longer than traditional bulbs, eliminating the need for time-consuming and costly bulb replacements.

Landscape lights can be affixed to the ground or on structures, such as pergolas, trellises and benches. They are often designed to “wash” walls or a row of bushes with light, creating a soft glow. For safety, it’s important that your landscaping lights are not placed too close to your house or walkways, as they can cast shadows and cause tripping hazards.

There are also a wide variety of hardscape lights that can be incorporated into your landscape, including step, brick and wall sconces that provide safety while adding beauty. Some are even equipped with smart LED color-changing technology that can be programmed to change colors and flash to the beat of your music.

Decorative or directional lighting adds a personal touch and helps define your home. It can also highlight features of your yard, such as a water or fire feature, fountains and ponds, flower gardens, decks, patios and pergolas. Adding lighting to your exterior will make it stand out to potential buyers and increase the value of your home.

Ambient Lighting

Lighting the landscape helps your home garden and other outdoor spaces be safe and welcoming after dark. It also adds a new dimension to your outdoor space that enhances beauty, curb appeal and safety. When planning a landscape lighting system, first take a walk around your property at night to get a feel for the areas you want to light. Then, decide what types of fixtures will work best. Always remember to conceal the light source when possible to avoid glare and ensure that the lights are only being used for their intended purpose.

Spot lights highlight a variety of objects in the garden, from flowers to small shrubs and statuary. They can create a soft wash of light or focus an intense beam to illuminate focal points like trees, walls, retaining walls and other architectural features. Grazing is another type of landscape lighting technique that highlights a textured surface such as tree bark, stone wall or climbing ivy and projects intriguing shadows on the surrounding surface.

Path lighting can help guide guests and family members through your yard after dark. It can highlight a beautiful, natural pathway or draw attention to a unique hardscape or softscape feature like a fountain, fire pit, bench or sculpture. Path lights can also be used to illuminate stairs, handrails and other hazards in your outdoor spaces.

Water features are popular in landscapes and can enhance a relaxing, serene setting. They can be as simple as a single fountain or more elaborate with waterfalls, ponds, streams and more. LED lights are the most common choice for water features because they provide a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent bulbs and consume less energy. They are also more durable in harsh weather conditions.

When choosing a light for your water feature, it is important to consider its beam spread and color temperature. The beam spread is how wide the light will project from the fixture, while the color temperature refers to the warmness or coolness of its glow. For best results, look for a light that is lamp-ready, meaning it can accept a standard incandescent bulb or an LED bulb.

Lumen Output

You’ve probably seen it before: that house that glows warmly and welcoming after dark. Well-designed landscape lighting can add that same kind of night-time curb appeal to your own home, while also adding safety and security. In order to properly illuminate your yard, however, you’ll need to understand some basic concepts like lumen output and color temperature.

Lumens are a measure of the amount of light emitted from a fixture, and are the standard measurement for all types of outdoor lighting. It’s important to know how many lumens are recommended for different types of fixtures, so that you can ensure your lights are bright enough to accomplish the task at hand while still looking great.

Prior to the development of LED technology, tungsten and sodium lamps were used for almost all landscape lighting purposes, but these outdated technologies have been largely eclipsed by their LED counterparts in every measurable performance attribute. LED bulbs are able to emit more lumens per watt than traditional HID and sodium lighting, while also lowering overall power consumption. These factors have made LED lighting a popular choice for virtually all exterior illumination needs, including landscape and architectural lighting.

When choosing a bulb, be sure to read the package label for its recommended lumen rating, as the actual brightness of a light can vary significantly. Additionally, a fixture’s design and reflector will play a role in how much of the lumen output is actually visible.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for landscape lighting, as every home and backyard has its own specific requirements. However, the following lumen recommendations are a good starting point to help you find the best lighting for your home.

Path lighting is designed to be both decorative and functional, illuminating the way for family members and guests as they walk around the property after dark. A lighted path should be able to be walked across easily, without producing any glare or hot spots. It’s typically recommended that a pathway light be between 50 and 300 lumens.

Floodlights are often used to highlight a focal point, such as a large tree or an entertainment area. They are intended to “wash” the desired space with light, so that it is evenly illuminated from all vantage points. A wide-beamed floodlight typically requires between 200 and 400 lumens, depending on the desired effect.

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The softer elements of a landscape, like flowers, shrubs, and trees, work best when contrasted with hardscape features. These include patios, walkways, retaining walls, paver edging for flowerbeds, and more.

While it may seem like an impossible task to make a hardscape eco-friendly, many small changes can add up. The three R’s common to most sustainability efforts—reduce, reuse, and recycle—can also be applied to landscape design. By using a few simple strategies, you can create a beautiful property that is easier to maintain and supports local wildlife.

One of the most important things to consider when designing a landscape is balance. A balanced design is not only pleasing to the eye, but it also reduces the need for maintenance. Several aspects of a landscape should be taken into account, including the materials used, shape, and color. All of these elements should work together to create a coherent whole. Whether you’re designing a residential yard or commercial office, it is vital to have balance.

When choosing your materials, look for those that are environmentally friendly and will last a long time. In addition, try to avoid concrete and paved surfaces that aren’t made from recycled or natural products. These types of materials are often toxic and can leach harmful substances into the groundwater. You can also reduce the amount of water runoff by reducing the slope of your land and installing retaining walls.

Incorporate native plants into your landscaping to save water and prevent erosion. They are adapted to your climate and have deep roots that keep them alive. These plants will also provide food and shelter for local animals. Additionally, they will help reduce the number of invasive species, which can cause serious damage to natural ecosystems.

Another way to cut down on your energy costs is by reducing the use of lighting. Garden lights attract insects at night, and they aren’t good for the environment. This is especially true for lighted commercial buildings, as they can disturb the habitats of birds and pollinators.

It’s also a good idea to plant low-growing, perennial plants under trees. These plants will act as windbreaks and block sunlight from reaching the ground. This can lower your air conditioning bills and reduce the need for irrigation. In addition, they’ll help with soil erosion and provide shade.

Water-efficient plantings

In many parts of the country, it is important to minimize water use in landscaping. This approach is known as “xeriscaping.” Unlike traditional grass lawns, xeriscapes typically require little or no supplemental water. Instead, plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. They may be native to this region, adapted old-world species from other areas of the world, or drought-tolerant hybrids.

Xeriscaping can be done with both existing landscapes and new construction. It involves selecting plants that have low water needs, designing and installing irrigation systems efficiently, and incorporating hardscape materials such as patios, paths, and decks into the landscape design. It also includes reducing the amount of water that is lost due to evaporation, runoff, and irrigation waste.

When designing a landscape, it is important to start with a site analysis. This involves mapping out the property and recording environmental considerations such as the seasonal effects of sunlight and shade, soil types, slopes, and directions of winds. Once this information is available, a plot plan can be developed for the property. The plot plan will include the location of buildings, driveways, gardens, and other structures on the property. It will also note any environmental limitations, such as property lines or utility lines.

Once the plot plan is completed, it is time to begin planning the plantings. This is best done in the spring, as it allows the plants to get established before the summer heat. It is also best to plant in groups, as this allows the gardener to better manage the water requirements of each group of plants. This is also a good time to add compost and mulch, as these will help keep the soil healthy and reduce the need for supplemental watering.

Once the plants are planted, it is important to properly maintain them. This includes removing weeds as they appear and using organic fertilizers rather than chemical ones. It is also important to water the garden sparingly and for short periods of time. The best time to water is in the morning, so that the soil is soaked but not oversaturated.

Trees and shrubs that require little maintenance

Trees and shrubs are an important part of a landscape, adding beauty, structure, and shade to the property. They also help to improve the environment by altering the microclimate, reducing noise, and trapping air pollutants. However, many woody ornamentals require considerable maintenance to keep them looking their best. This is due to a combination of factors, including weather conditions and soil composition. To minimize these issues, homeowners should choose low-maintenance plants that are tolerant of local conditions and will thrive with minimal care.

Some low-maintenance shrubs include Spira japonica, which comes in a variety of cultivars with captivating summer flowers and strong structure. This plant tolerates average to well-drained soils and thrives in full sun to dappled shade. It can also be pruned to control its size. Another low-maintenance shrub is forsythia, which provides a vibrant burst of yellow early in the spring. Other options include azaleas and flowering currant bushes, both of which are hardy and easy to grow.

Low-maintenance landscape shrubs are great for the front of the house, especially those that bloom in the spring or provide a color show in the fall. Nandina, formerly known as Fire Power, is an excellent choice for the front yard because it has bright green foliage and vibrant red leaves in the fall and winter. It also grows to a relatively short height, making it a good choice for small spaces.

Another option is ceanothus, which is a fast-growing shrub that provides blue flowers in spring and deep green foliage all year round. It is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance garden, and it is deer- and insect-resistant. This plant is also a nitrogen-fixing species, so it helps add fertility to the soil.

Creating a successful landscape requires careful planning and organization. It is essential that all elements of the landscape capture a sense of unity and complement one another. For example, the color palette should be carefully chosen to ensure that the colors look beautiful together. A great way to do this is by using a virtual program or by mapping out the colors of the living and hardscape elements on paper. This will give you a clear idea of how the colors of different plants will work together.

Plants that are native to your area

Using plants that are native to your area is a great way to create a low-maintenance landscape. Native plants are well-adapted to the climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur and have natural defenses against plant diseases and pests. They also use less water and need fewer fertilizers than non-native plants. In addition, their roots help to retain soil moisture and prevent erosion. Native plants are also important for wildlife habitats because they support local birds, insects, and other wildlife.

By planting native plants in your yard, you can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere by reducing lawn mowing and providing nectar and pollen sources for local wildlife. You can even add soil-building native plants to your landscape by adding mulch or compost that has been made from locally sourced materials.

Many common native plants are easy to find at local nurseries or by ordering them through mail-order catalogs. Many nurseries are now starting to specialize in native plants, and they will have a large selection of different species to choose from. Some of them may have a specific theme that you can use to design your landscape, such as prairie gardens or butterfly gardens.

Aside from being easy to find, native plants are also hardy and will thrive in your climate. They can be used as ground cover or shrubs and will look beautiful in a flower garden. Native plants are also a great choice for shady areas.

To choose the right native plants for your garden, it is a good idea to consult a native plant guide or use a searchable database. It is important to buy nursery-propagated native plants, as wild seeds can be invasive in the garden and are often not hardy enough for your growing zone. It is also a good idea to visit your local Cooperative Extension office or check out a small native plant nursery that is beginning to pop up around the state. These nurseries are a great resource for gardening information that is specific to your location. They will be able to recommend the best plants for your growing zone.