From subtle “washes” of light to dramatic accenting, lighting landscape ideas help your garden look stunning after dark. However, remember that too much illumination can overwhelm a design concept. Remember that you should always be aware of the potential for lightning strikes and stay away from metal objects or equipment as they conduct electricity. For more information, visit Orlando Lighting to proceed.
Water Features
Adding water to any landscape design is one of the most beautiful ways to add definition and create visual interest. A water feature is also a soothing and peaceful element that can help calm the mind and relieve stress. Spending time around flowing water can lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
With various options available, we can install water features that fit into any landscape design aesthetic. From a quiet, still pond to a waterfall that masks noise, we can bring a new dimension to any landscape with an easy-to-maintain and low-impact water feature.
When choosing a water feature, homeowners need to consider the amount of maintenance they’re willing to do and what the feature’s main purpose will be. For example, a homeowner who wants the tranquility of a pond will need to be ready to do more frequent maintenance, such as removing leaves and debris and regularly cleaning the surface. In contrast, a pondless water feature can supply texture and sound without much maintenance since it recirculates the water, so it never has to be refilled.
Lighting is an important part of a water feature landscape design because it can highlight the calming glimmer of a fountain or a dramatic waterfall. Lighting can also be used to show off a rock wall with water flowing over it in a spectacular way that will impress visitors.
Aside from the visual appeal of a water feature, it’s important to remember that any outdoor water feature supports wildlife in your garden. Birds, frogs, toads, and insects will all call the water feature home as they seek shelter from the elements. Having a water feature on your property will ensure that the local ecosystem is balanced, and this is particularly important in Central Oregon, where our dry climate can make it difficult for many species to thrive in outdoor habitats.
Trees
Thousands of trees are struck by lightning each day. This is primarily because they are often the tallest objects in the landscape and, therefore, more likely to be hit by lightning. They also have deep roots that help conduct electric current to the ground. A tree that is dead or significantly damaged by lightning often rots and eventually falls over.
A lightning strike can devastate a tree, and the damage will depend on the nature of the strike and the environmental conditions around it. The type of tree is another factor; older trees are more susceptible to injury than young ones. The location of the trees, and whether they are grouped together or in isolation, will also influence susceptibility to damage by lightning.
If a tree strikes on the sides of its trunk, the living tissue is typically killed in strips that run along large branches or vertically down the trunk to a point a few feet above the ground (figure 4). This can be very destructive. In these cases, the tree may appear fine after a strike but then decline over a few months. This can be due to the disruption of the metabolic process caused by the strike or because the strike weakened the tree and could not fend off fungal disease or insect pests.
A strike causes no visible damage in some trees or only small scorched bark areas. Then, the tree dies suddenly two to 12 months later. This is usually because of a disruption in metabolism or because the tree was unable to fend off fungal diseases and insect pests after being weakened by the lightning strike.
While trees add beauty and value to a landscape, they should be supervised after a lightning strike. A professional arborist should be consulted to assess the damage, and a strategy should be developed to prevent future lightning-related injuries and tree failures. A tree care plan should include proper soil drainage, mulching, and watering to promote vigorous growth and to avoid root rot and other problems.
Lawns
The grass is one of the most important parts of any landscape. It can add beauty, color, texture, and smells to any yard. A beautiful lawn can make a house feel warm and welcoming. It is also a good place for children and pets to play. A well-maintained lawn can help reduce the amount of water and fertilizer needed.
Many people believe that their grass is greener after a lightning storm. This is because the electricity in a lightning strike can cause the nitrogen in the air to turn into nitrates. Raindrops then carry these nitrates to the ground and are absorbed by the grass. This fertilizer makes the grass greener. However, there is debate about how much electricity affects the grass. Some scientists say that the amount of nitrates formed is insufficient to make the grass greener and that the bright green color is simply an illusion created by the wet grass sparkling in the sun’s rays.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your yard, consider adding trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers to your landscape. These can add color and texture to your yard, and they can also provide shade and privacy. Plants can also improve the quality of your soil, making it healthier and more productive.
Sprinkler system installation and maintenance is another great way to improve your landscape. A sprinkler system can save time and money by automatically watering your plants and lawn. It can also help prevent overwatering, which can damage your landscape and cause problems for your plants.
If you’re looking for a professional landscaping company, look no further than Lightning Lawn & Landscape. They offer a variety of landscape services, including sprinkler repair and maintenance, sod installation, hydroseeding, and mulch installation. They are also known for their high-quality outdoor lighting services, which can transform your home’s exterior into a magical wonderland at night.
Flower Beds
Many different flowers and plants in your garden can look very attractive during the day, but they are an absolute attention catcher when illuminated at night. When it comes to landscape lighting, it is important to know that a little goes a long way, as too much light can be distracting and unpleasant to the eyes.
You can create a relaxing atmosphere by introducing washes of beautiful lighting to your flower beds and other softscape elements. You can also use lighting to highlight trees, bushes, and other plant features you want to emphasize or create a dramatic effect. Coordinating the illumination with the plants’ colors and textures you are highlighting is important to ensure they work well together.
For example, you can create a relaxing ambiance by illuminating the steps of your patio or deck. This helps to ensure that you can easily navigate the space at night, and it will also look great. Alternatively, you can use low-level lighting to accentuate a garden bench or other structure in your landscape. This can be a more dramatic effect, but it is important to remember that you will need enough light for safety and aesthetics.
This is a common and quite useful technique in outdoor lighting. Highlighting is created by placing a spotlight at the base of an outdoor feature. By varying the distance and angle of the light fixture, you can experiment with different lighting designs for unique landscape architecture goals. For example, trees often need two or more fixtures to provide sufficient illumination.
Place the landscape spotlight behind the feature, aimed towards an adjacent wall; this creates an illuminated backdrop. This dark outline of the object showcases the plants and other dense features. It looks especially striking in the sunset.
Similar to silhouetting, shadowing also places the fixture towards the base of the feature, aimed towards an adjacent wall. However, the goal is to create a softer shadow, and it often works best with a tree with open, delicate foliage. The effect of the tree’s movement in the wind will surely add drama to any home façade.