Son wants to put Christmas lights at the base of our crepe myrtles so the lights shine up onto the branches.
by
Judith B
+2
We were thinking of something to go around the trees but cannot come up with any good workable ideas. I've googled planters and benches but nothing practical or affordable or not take a lot of work I can find. These are led lights and they must be fixed so they shine up and not at the passing drivers on my street.
5 answers
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Judith, I've done landscape lighting all around my house and have used both tube lights as well as 12V landscape lights. The first consideration is your source of electricity..........where are your outdoor outlets? The next is what lies between what you want to illuminate and the outlet? Personally, I think you'll be better off with low voltage landscape lights since you can run the cable out to power the lights. Of course, that means buying a transformer to drop the current to 12V. If, and only IF, your budget is inflexible, I recommend purchasing the largest capacity transformer possible, because once you begin to add landscape lighting, it becomes addictive! However, many purchase the Malibu low voltage systems because they come complete: limited length of 14 gauge cable; transformer; limited style of light fixtures. My first installation was Malibu. Now, I have 2 - 600 wt. and 1 - 900 wt. transformers to provide the energy for the landscape lighting I want. Like any hobby, I always shop to see what's new, and they're always improving the light fixtures. So, from time to time, I remove some and replace with something that works better. I have used the tube lights under a step at the front door, to call attention to it as a trip hazard, and have run them down the entire driveway (attached to the railroad ties that edge the driveway). Guests have found the curve in our driveway to be a challenge; adding the tube lights along side has helped them back out of our driveway at night. It also gives off a soft light, lighting the underside of the plants in the adjacent plant bed. I would recommend you go to one or several big box hardware stores to their electrical dept. and pick the elec. dept. employees' minds. Then, go online to see what you can learn there. You'll be amazed!
Becky H
on Sep 25, 2012
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Oh!..........PS: I would avoid any cable under 12 gauge.
Becky H
on Sep 25, 2012
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If all you are interested in lighting just the crepe myrtles, you may want to consider rope lighting. Rope lighting is essentially 100% waterproof and is very flexible so it can be wound in a multitude of directions around the crepe myrtles. The major consideration in rope lighting is the fact that is energized with a 110/120 volt system.The other alternative would be "up-lighting" using low voltage fixtures flooding the myrtles from the ground up through the branches, This system would require a remote low voltage transformer and fixtures wired to the transformers. There are many systems available at the big box stores, but I would suggest you contact a local irrigation supply distributor as they carry quality low voltage fixtures and transformers They may cost more than the big box brands (Malibu, etc) but the last and in the long end are worth the investment.If I can be of any additional help, just let me knowGary
LandlightS
on Sep 26, 2012
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The plan is to use small led Christmas lights to shine up on the leaves
Judith B
on Sep 27, 2012
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He may want to check out these lights carefully because so little light is emitted from these LED lights. They are bright, but they do not send out much light!
Jeanette S
on Sep 27, 2012
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