Do you want to create atmosphere in your outdoor area? The first piece of advice is not to neglect the outdoor lighting. The starting point for creating a warm atmosphere will certainly be the illumination of the trees that are present on your property. Depending on the size of the plants, you can use different techniques to achieve optimal lighting.
Garden lighting is based on a number of principles that allow you to achieve the right lighting effect.
Aesthetic moods and styles are created through decorative touches that are superimposed on the technical lighting.
Plants are important elements of landscape architecture, which serve to organise spaces and provide orientation. When properly lit, they can also fulfil these functions at night. Illuminated plants form visual axes in the dark and provide a sense of security.
The way in which plants are highlighted depends on their shape, size, colour and their evolution over time (seasons, growth, etc.).
Depending on the shape of the plants and the areas to be highlighted, the opening angles of the lighting products and their orientation must be adapted.
It is not always easy to choose the appropriate lighting tool, so we give you some advice:
1. Adapt to the size and growth of the plants:
Depending on the volume of the plants, the quantity of lighting products must be anticipated. For small trees, one or two luminaires are sufficient, whereas for larger trees and volumes, additional luminaires are required.
The more foliage there is, the more symmetrical and wide the optics will be, and vice versa.
If the subject is wide with voluminous foliage, the products will be positioned at a distance from the trunk and vice versa if the emphasis is on the trunk and a slender subject.
The optics can also be changed or a zoom lens integrated into the luminaire to adapt the beam to the evolution of the plant. Make sure to select the light distribution adapted to the shape of the tree
2. Choose the corresponding product type:
With regard to the choice of product types, ground recessed luminaires are better integrated into the landscape as they are less visible. However, these products are less flexible as they are difficult to reposition once installed. This is why spotlights with a stake to be buried are more suitable. They can be easily oriented, moved and follow the growth of the trees. They have the disadvantage of being more visible.
– Ground recessed: the foliage is highlighted. The light catches more densely at the bottom and is diluted at the top.
– 2 Spotlights: placed on either side of the tree, they allow the contours and silhouette of the tree to be illuminated with contrast.
– 4 Spotlights: placed on the four sides of the tree, they light it evenly and visually enhance the foliage.
– 1 Spotlight: creates a backlight effect that accentuates the silhouette of the tree.
– Floodlights in the foliage: create shadows on the ground while adding contrast to the foliage.
– Narrow beam products are particularly suitable for tall, narrow foliage cypress trees.
– Lighting a wall behind a tree highlights the silhouette of the crown and trunk.
3. Adjusting the colour temperature:
Finally, shades of colour are emphasised through the choice of colour temperatures. The closer the colour temperature of the sources is to natural light (3000K – 4000K), the more the green shades of the foliage stand out. Warmer colour temperatures (2200K – 2700K), on the other hand, accentuate the reddish-orange hues of autumn leaves.
4. Think about the environment
Dimmable outdoor luminaires are available to ensure responsible consideration of the environment. Depending on the ambient light, low illuminations of about 50 lx are sufficient to make a tree appear bright
5. Use weatherproof luminaires
Outdoor luminaires must be able to withstand all types of weather. That is why a high protection rating is imperative. This means that they are dust-proof and protected against water splashes from all directions. Floor recessed luminaires, on the other hand, must have a sufficiently high protection rating so that they are also protected against the consequences of long-term immersion.
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LM5P – Le Mouton à 5 Pattes can provide you with many other valuable tips for lighting design and show you how to illuminate different types of plants in a spectacular way. We also offer lighting studies and night renderings for a better visualisation of the lighting principles.