Drama, Drama, Drama!!

Sometimes drama is a bad thing, but let’s talks about some good drama.
One way to create drama in your landscape is by using an up lighting technique. Since all natural light comes from the top down, turning that around and shining light up can create a very dramatic effect.
This can work very well with trees, bushes, rock walls, and statuary. A little goes a long way with this technique. Too much drama is never a good thing, and this is also true in your landscape. Since this effect is so striking, it can seem busy if used too much. “Less is more” is the rule to create an impressive display.
Limiting use of up lighting will actually enhance the desired dramatic effect in your landscape. First, choose your focal points - these are the items that you really want to bring attention to and highlight. Then decide the best lighting technique for that item, let’s say it’s a very large crape myrtle tree for example. For this item, you could probably front or cross light it making it your primary focal point in that area. You can still use more up lighting in the area but instead of placing the fixtures in front of the other trees; you may try placing the fixtures behind. This lighting technique draws the eye through the tree, toward your primary focal point that lies beyond – like your house, perhaps. You would then use softer techniques around that dramatic feature. Mixing up your lighting techniques throughout the property will add balance and produce a more pleasing appearance.

So, drama can be good in your landscape, but just like in life - too much drama is a bad thing.
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Bye Bye Mercury Vapor

We’ve all seen them. The distinctive eerie green glow of mercury vapor lighting dots the landscapes of commercial properties all over the world casting a harsh glare like alien beacons in the night. More frightening than the spooky appearance of these lights is the elemental make-up of the fixtures: mercury. Because each of these fixtures uses mercury to produce light, the EPA Act of 2005 banned all manufacture of this type of lighting effective January 1, 2008. As existing supplies of the necessary ballasts for these lighting fixtures dwindle, some folks are fitting the 100 watt mercury vapor fixture with a 175 watt metal halide ballast, another lamp in the HID (high intensity discharge) family. This takes a bad light to new levels of abuse by sucking up even more energy! This 1940’s unit was discontinued by the United States for its inefficient use of energy and potential environmental hazards. Putting this kind of band-aid on an already power-hungry monster is simply not a good idea for anyone.

NightScenes has never advocated the use of these fixtures for any application. In fact, we rarely use any fixtures or lamps other than earth-friendly LED now – even for commercial properties. The good news for mercury vapor users is that retro-fitting with LED is now possible! This cost effective alternative uses only 14 watts, instead of 100 (or 175), and is rated for more than twice the life of the mercury vapor which is no longer being manufactured. Rated for 50,000 hours of use, these LED lamps save money in maintenance as well as the incredible savings of 80% on the energy bill. LED lamps can produce the same light output in color and intensity. Warmer colors are also available for those looking for a more natural lighting effect. So what’s not to love?

Light Positions

So, why do I place lights in different positions on plants and trees?  The main reason is to create some depth and interest in the landscape.

When you look at different lighting projects you mostly find that the installer places the fixture (usually only one) in front of just about every tree or shrub.  What this does is make everything look flat and BORING. 

By placing fixtures behind or even beside some plantings it helps to draw the eye through the object on toward whatever is illuminated behind it like the home which is front lit.

A good lighting design will also use multiple fixtures on trees that are large enough to give the tree more dimension.

Here is an example of using some back lighting on a large tree and some front lighting on other objects behind it.  You’ll find that this looks much better than front lighting everything.