When done with aesthetic and artistic consideration, lighting can bring charming results. A world of devices is open to us.
Antique Japanese lanterns, for instance, add the beauty of ancient craftsmanship to gardens or patios by day or night—especially to contemporary homes or those influenced by the Japanese.
Choose Heights Carefully
One of the most useful fixtures in the garden is a wide-spreading light. It is often desirable to display the beauty of a flower bed at night.
The height of the standard or spike, in this case, needs careful consideration.
A fixture with a low standard could light a bed of pansies, but dahlias or peonies would require a higher standard lest the flower heads are in the darkness above the light.
Wide-spreading lights come in various reflector sizes which can light a circle of diameter from 20’ to 60’ feet. An ordinary 100-watt lamp bulb is used in all but the largest size.
Placing the Light Properly
Avoid using a wide-spread light at the top of the steps, as the glare will fall directly into a person’s eyes, possibly causing an accident.
Instead, place the light back a distance from the top of the steps to ensure non-glare vision and experiment to find the right place.
A small light at the top of the stairs and along the steps where necessary may be needed as an additional safety factor.
Sudden angles in a path, a specimen plant, or planter boxes can be illuminated by small lights for safety or to bring out special beauty spots.
Just The Right Light
Too little lighting is as undesirable as too much that produces glare. Without sufficient light to guide the eyes, pedestrians must guard their footsteps against accidents.
Unable to see the night beauty of a garden, they are frustrated and cannot walk at ease, so an esthetic experience may be lost.
Lights may be previewed with portable rubber cords for a temporary trial in the garden before permanent placing.
Garden Lamps as Lighting
Garden lamps may be made of copper, bronze, iron, or fiberglass. Some come in “verdegreen,” which blends well with the leaves of trees and shrubs.
This color results from an acid etching by hand on natural copper. The metal mellows with age but does not deteriorate. Lighting takes many forms in outdoor use.
An old ship lamp, early oil lamp, or railroad lantern may be suspended or bracketed for a cabana or patio, and aged copper and wren-type houses may hang from tree branches to light up paths or outdoor dining areas.
Stemmed Metal Flower Forms
Stemmed metal flower forms can light paths, steps, or planters. “Up” light fixtures will direct light upward into a tree, silhouetting trunk and branches with silver on a dark night.
A “mystery light” will diffuse, like moonlight, and give an impression of infinite depth in even a small garden.
This type of fixture is best located behind a hedge or shrubs with soft light penetrating the foliage. An enchanting effect can be produced with proper lighting.
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