Lighting your Water Feature
Danielle Dickinson
Lighting your Water Feature
Since we spend many hours outdoors in summer it makes sense to use lighting in your garden. In the contemporary garden the use of lighting has become increasingly important where, when applied correctly, it has the ability to create a whole new world once night falls. Outdoor lighting can be used to new create new dimensions and dramatic effects anywhere in your garden. This is especially so when lighting is used to illuminate moving water, the resulting effect can be stunning. While recognising the need to apply lighting to their water feature, many people struggle with how to position the lighting. Take into consideration that when it comes to creating your night-time wonderland that less really is more! Creating a sense of theatre through creating silhouettes and shadows is preferable to indiscriminately flood lighting an area. Although there are no hard and fast rules to the application of lighting to your feature, here we will guide you through some important considerations.
Electricity Supply
Since you probably already have a pump installed it is likely that you already have an outdoor power-point. All submersible lighting is low voltage but you will still need somewhere to plug in your transformer. If you do not have an outdoor power source contact a suitably licensed electrician who is experienced with outdoor fittings.
Maintenance
Just as you need to change your light bulbs inside your home you will occasionally need to replace them in your garden. Make sure that your light fittings are easily accessible to ensure performing routine maintenance is as easy as possible.
Colour
White light is most effective with outdoor lighting. Although many coloured lenses are often available they have a tendency to look positively garish in a residential setting. White light is also brighter than coloured lenses and is effective in creating shadows and silhouettes. Coloured lenses are best left to large commercial fountains with vibrant water displays.
Submersible or Dry Mounted Lighting?
When deciding whether to install submersible or dry mounted lighting fixtures, it is important to consider your water quality. If your water is full of algae or muddy then the effect of lighting from inside the water will be lost and the state of your water will be on show.
Clear water can benefit significantly from submersible lighting. Many different effects can be achieved from lighting from within your feature. Lighting Effects Still Water
Often is it best to use light fixtures to illuminate surrounding plants and features rather than lighting up the water itself. Lighting from above angled down will create mirrored reflections on the water’s surface. The darker the water is the better this effect can be achieved.
Submersible lighting can also be used to create a soft glow across the surface of the water. This is very effective when water lilies are present on the water’s surface.
Fountains
To effectively light a fountain the light source must come from within the water angled up at the fountain. This way the light will catch the air bubbles caused by turbulent water making them glow.
Waterfalls
To achieve the best outcome when illuminating a waterfall the light source should be placed behind the waterfall, backlighting it. This creates an entire new look and a sense of drama for your waterfall as evening falls.
Alternatively you could achieve a lovely effect through non directional lighting. Washing a rocky waterfall with light, highlighting the surrounding rocks and plant life rather than the water also provides an excellent look.
Features
There are a few lighting options for features these include: Lighting the feature from above – this effect is best when lighting is placed in a nearby tree and is at least 3 meters high angled down at the feature, either in front or behind.
Backlighting the feature – this effect creates a silhouette of the feature and allows the feature to take on a whole new look at night.
Spotlighting the feature – one or two spotlights can be dry-mounted in front of the features and angled up effectively illuminating it. Underwater light fittings – Submersible light fixtures can be placed either in front or behind the feature (or both) to create a dramatic effect. This is especially so when the water has movement causing the light to ripple over the feature.
Water Walls
Where your water wall clings to the surface of the wall the best option here is to light from within the water. A submersible light angled at the wall here will create a mesmerising effect as it ripples on the water against the surface of the wall.
If your water projects out away from the wall backlighting the sheet of water provides a distinctive effect. Take Time to Experiment
Before racing out to purchase your lighting it is worth taking the time to test how various lighting techniques will look when applied to your garden. The best way to achieve this is to use a water-proof torch and experiment with it. Shine the torch from above, behind, in front and below the surface of the water until you get the effect you desire.
Tip
Avoid glare! Glare can be annoying when unaddressed. Take time to view your lighting set-up from all angles to ensure glare is minimised.
About the author: Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.
The latest information and news on Gardening:
Yahoo! News Search Results for gardening
Top Ten 2009 Gardening Trends (Lexington Clipper-Herald)
(ARA) - Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to grow-it-yourself (GIY). From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn "back to the future" to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.
Plot user touts gardening benefits (The Naperville Sun)
Gardener Julie Federico says she is OK with Option 1A, with one caveat. "As long as I could still get a plot where they're located on West Street," Federico said. "I could continue to walk or bike there." Federico has participated in the garden plots program for the last five or six years. She began gardening on a plot with a friend, but has been tending a plot on her own for at least the last ...
Gardening events (The Jackson Sun)
If you're looking for gardening tips, you can't afford to miss the Southern Home & Garden Expo with more than 1,500 exhibitors representing home design, remodeling and landscaping Jan. 16 -18 at the Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis.
City to offer classes on herbs, organics, gardening (This Week Olentangy)
The city of Powell will offer three classes this winter and spring on organic housecleaning, gardening and herbs.
New year offers plethora of gardening learning activities (The Vicksburg Post)
Happy New Year! I truly hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season. In spite of having to replace a water heater and having to make an unexpected trip to the dentist for a chipped tooth, I really enjoyed the last couple of weeks.
5 Tips for Hydroponics Gardening (PIZZAHEROS)
When seeds first sprout, they are said to be germinating. In hydroponic gardening, this happens within a growing medium, which can be any number of things. The best choices are composted bark, expanded clay, gravel, peat moss or sand.
Plant Exchange: Gardening Is Local Woman?s ?True Hobby? (Yankton Press & Dako...
Q: May we visit your evolving county yard and garden?
Keep Gardening In Winter With Spice (Yankton Press & Dakotan)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ? At her family-run herb farm in Vacaville, Calif., Rose Loveall-Sale hears the same question often this time of year.
U. of I. Extension offers gardening program (Villa Park Argus Press Spectator)
Four Seasons Gardening, a 12-session program presented by University of Illinois Extension, will cover a wide array of gardening and landscaping topics.
Library plans free gardening classes in Murfreesboro (The Tennessean)
Linebaugh Public Library System is offering a new set of free classes devoted to nature, gardening and "do-it-yourself" nature activities.