How to Light Flowers Outdoors

Assessment of Lighting Options

• Before deciding what kind of lights you want to install in your flower garden, you need to decide what kind of effect you want to achieve. One of the best ways to do this is to go outside at night with a flashlight and shine it at different angles and directions. This will help you determine the mood you would like to create with your lighting. Lights pointing upwards can give a glow to leaves, and lights pointed downward can offer broad natural highlights. Diffused lights shining down from above can mimic moonlight. The effect of your lighting is determined by the height and brightness of the lights used. Avoid placing lights so that they shine directly into windows or someone’s eyes.

Types of Fixtures

• There are six basic types of fixtures for gardens: accent lights, mushroom lights, post lights, floodlights, variable-focus floodlights and well lights. Flowers low to the ground may be lit using accent or mushroom lights. Post lights are popular because they allow for the level of brightness to be adjusted and can be cut to specified heights. For larger, taller plants and flowers, floodlights or variable-focus floodlights are preferred. Floodlights may be mounted on walls or in trees or installed in the ground. Variable-focus floodlights offer the most flexibility because of their capacity to rotate at different angles, allowing for more dramatic effects. Well lights are used when dramatic underlighting of flowers is desired. They also allow you to use lenses of different colors.

Low-voltage Lighting

• Another consideration in planning for lighting is the level of voltage desired. If you plan to stick with a 120-volt current, you may need to enlist the help of an electrician, especially to make sure everything is done according to code. However, if you plan to use low-voltage or 12 volt wiring, you should be able to install the lighting safely yourself using a transformer or power pack. Just know that for bulbs up to 75 watts, you will need one transformer for every five to six fixtures.

Solar Lighting

• If saving energy is of primary importance, then solar lighting may be the best option for you. Solar lights come in a variety of types, from small accent lights to larger floodlights. However, there are some drawbacks to using solar lights. Because solar lights depend on sunlight for their ability to provide light, a cloudy, overcast day may mean low light at night. It also means inconsistency in lighting intensity. Another problem is that the solar batteries eventually go bad, with some only lasting five to seven months. So the cost of periodically buying new batteries and discarding the old batteries properly must be weighed against the cost of electricity. Advantages of solar lighting are, of course, easy installment and lower electrical bills.