Imagine you are a set designer and your landscape is a stage. The most dramatic (and flattering) lighting should focus attention on the drama as it unfolds. In both the garden and a theater, clever use of floodlights will tell a riveting story.
Spotlights and floodlights have different purposes: a spot will focus a narrow beam on a beautiful tree or landscape element. A floodlight can send a wider wash of light to brighten a dark corner. Wondering which you need? Here are 10 of our favorite spotlights and floodlights:
Above: Photograph courtesy of Royal Botania.
From Belgium-based Royal Botania, a powder coated aluminum LED Moso Ground spotlight with an adjustable beam is €544.50, power supply included, from Sixlight.
Above: From Unique Lighting, a cast-brass LED Polaris spotlight fixture is ideal for small spaces. It has a factory sealed shock resistant glass lens to prevent water intrusion; for more information and pricing, see Unique Lighting.
Designer Julie Farris used Unique Polaris lights to light up a bamboo hedge in Before & After: From “Fishbowl” Townhouse Garden to Private Oasis, in Manhattan.
Above: WAC Lighting’s LED Accent Light has an adjustable beam from from a 60 degree flood to a 10 degree spot (and a light output modification feature from 16 to 2 watts). It is available in two finishes, including bronze and aluminum as shown; $179 from Y Lighting.
Above: A black LED Floodlight from Bega has watertight gaskets to protect against corrosion. It requires a 12-volt remote magnetic transformer (sold separately) and is $220 from Lumens.
Above: Kichler’s weather-resistant High Intensity Discharge Flood Light is available in two finishes including Architectural Bronze as shown; $80.24 from All Modern.
Above: An aluminum LED Accent Light from Hinkley Lighting measures 5.75 inches wide and 3.25 inches high. It is available with either a spot or flood beam from 25 to 60 degrees; prices start at $124 depending on beam from Y Lighting.
Above: One of Janet’s favorite picks: “Easy to adjust, the Hadco Copper Bullyte features a natural brass swivel arm with a brass locknut, and a fully rotatable shroud in solid copper.” It comes with a mounting stake and is $106.59 at Lightology.
Above: A cast aluminum Starfire Spot Light is 8 inches high and takes a halogen bulb; $23.38 from All Modern.
Above: From Unique Lighting, a Bishop directional up-light is “a powerful and heavy duty directional up-light,” says the manufacturer. “The Bishop is perfect when illuminating trees, tall structures and vast spaces…can be used in numerous applications like back, shadow or graze lighting. It is also the perfect directional light to use when up lighting columns.” For more information and pricing, see Unique Lighting.
Above: A solar spotlight “requires no wiring. Simply stake the spotlight into the ground and plug it into the solar panel,” notes Restoration Hardware. Measuring 11 inches high and with a weathered bronze finish, a set of two LED Solar Spotlights is $125 from Restoration Hardware.
For more of our favorite lighting ideas and sources, see:
- 10 Easy Pieces: Solar Lighting.
- Hardscaping 101: Pathway Lighting.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Landscape Up-Lights.
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