It used to be that most exterior lighting projects required the services of a licensed electrician and possibly a landscape architect to ensure that the lighting was properly installed. In recent years the installation of exterior lighting has become a specialty unto itself but it is possible for the “weekend gardener” to effectively tackle this project on their own. Exterior lighting helps enhance the appeal of your garden and can have a dramatic impact on your landscape.

 Exterior lighting can serve several important functions in your yard. Perhaps the most important function is that it can help keep your home and your garden safe and secure. Illuminating walkways, changes in grade and slopes in your yard help guests to make sure they watch their step and prevent falls which can result in serious injuries. You can also use light to steer people away from areas of your yard that you don’t want them to trample on or to keep them away from ponds or pools. Exterior lighting also enhances the security of your home making it less of a target for thieves.

While safety and security are important the most common use of exterior lighting is for decorative or aesthetic purposes. Lighting can accentuate entryways, plantings and water features and it can be used to highlight certain areas of your yard but not necessarily the whole property. The following techniques can be used effectively in any garden:

• Up Lighting-This technique is often used to highlight limbs and branches in trees by angling the light upwards through the limbs.
• Down Lighting-This technique involves hanging lights about 20 feet in the air and angling them downward to highlight a particular planting or feature.
• Silhouetting-This technique involves placing a light behind a plant to cast a shadow or highlight the shape of the plant.
• Shadow Lighting-This technique is normally used by angling lights on walls, decks and other hardscape features.
• Cross Lighting-This technique involves hanging lights in trees to accentuate the canopy.

Low voltage lighting and solar lighting are relatively easy to install and have become real alternatives for gardeners to expand their living area without increasing their electric bills. They are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and some products come with automatic on and off switches as well as dimmers and the ability to adjust the amount of light in a given area. The lanterns and lamps also come in a variety of shapes and sizes which can also impact the lighting design. All gardeners enjoy their gardens in the daytime but installing exterior lighting can help you relax and enjoy your garden in evening too!

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