Shrub & Hedge Lighting

Shrub and hedge lighting fixtures are purpose-built for low-profile installation in planting beds. We specify compact fixtures typically measuring three to five inches tall with narrow bodies that fit between closely spaced shrubs without disturbing root systems. Output ranges from 100 to 400 lumens per fixture at 2700K warm white, significantly less than the fixtures used for tree uplighting because shrubs are viewed from close range and require less intensity for visual impact. LED wattages range from 2W for small accent shrubs to 5W for tall, dense hedges that need more output to illuminate from base to top. All fixtures operate on the standard 12-volt low-voltage platform.

Beam angle selection is critical for achieving even coverage without visible hot spots or dark gaps in shrub lighting applications. For foundation shrubs positioned against the house, we typically specify 36-degree to 60-degree flood beams aimed upward at a steep angle to wash light through the foliage evenly. For tall hedges, narrower 24-degree to 36-degree beams concentrate the light output on the vertical face of the hedge rather than wasting it sideways. Fixture spacing along a continuous hedge line ranges from four to six feet depending on the beam angle and hedge height, calculated to provide overlapping coverage zones that eliminate the scalloping pattern of alternating bright spots and dark gaps that plagues amateur installations.

Fixture construction for shrub lighting must withstand constant exposure to mulch moisture, irrigation water, soil contact, and the organic acids produced by decomposing mulch and leaf litter. We specify fixtures with housings constructed from solid brass or marine-grade composite that resist corrosion and degradation under these harsh conditions. All fixtures carry minimum IP65 ratings, with IP68 preferred for fixtures installed in beds that receive direct irrigation spray or are prone to temporary flooding during heavy Carolina thunderstorms. The internal LED modules are sealed against moisture intrusion with silicone gaskets and potted driver circuits that prevent humidity-related failures common in lower-quality fixtures.

Wire routing through planting beds requires careful planning to avoid damaging established root systems while ensuring wire is buried deeply enough to avoid accidental cuts from garden maintenance. We route low-voltage 14-gauge or 12-gauge direct-burial cable through beds at six to eight inches depth, navigating between shrub root balls rather than cutting through them. In dense foundation plantings where trenching is impractical, we use a probe rod to create narrow channels for wire routing without disturbing the soil structure. All connections within beds use gel-filled, waterproof splice connectors that maintain their seal through years of soil contact, irrigation saturation, and temperature cycling between Carolina summer heat and winter freezes.

What types of shrubs and hedges look best when lit?

Almost every shrub species responds well to lighting when the right technique is applied, but some are particularly stunning. Dense evergreen shrubs like Boxwood, Japanese Holly, and Dwarf Yaupon Holly create a beautiful, solid glowing mass when lit from below. Looser, more textured shrubs like Azalea, Loropetalum, and Nandina allow light to filter through individual branches and reveal their internal structure for a more artistic effect. Tall hedges like Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Wax Myrtle become impressive glowing walls when illuminated. Ornamental grasses like Muhly Grass and Fountain Grass are spectacular when backlit, with light passing through their feathery plumes. During our free nighttime demonstration, we show you how your specific plantings respond to light.

Will the fixtures be visible during the daytime?

Our goal is complete daytime invisibility. We use compact fixtures in dark bronze or black finishes that measure just three to five inches tall. When installed at the base of shrubs with the body pushed slightly below the mulch line, they are virtually invisible from normal viewing distances. The fixture lens sits at or just above mulch level, tucked beneath the lowest branches of the shrub. Most homeowners and visitors never notice the fixtures during daytime walks through the garden. After mulch is dressed around the fixture bases, even someone looking closely will have difficulty spotting them. This invisible integration is one of the key technical skills that separates professional installation from DIY attempts.

How many fixtures do I need for a foundation planting bed?

The number depends on the bed length and the density of the plantings. For a typical foundation bed along a house facade, we space fixtures every four to six feet, positioning them between shrub groupings and aiming into the foliage on either side. A thirty-foot foundation bed might require five to seven fixtures for even coverage. Corner plantings and specimen accent shrubs may need individual fixtures. During our design process, we calculate exact quantities based on the beam angle of the selected fixtures and the size of the target shrubs to ensure smooth, even illumination without gaps or hot spots. Our free estimate includes a precise fixture count for your specific property.

Does shrub lighting use a lot of electricity?

Shrub and hedge lighting is extremely energy efficient. Individual fixtures typically draw between 2 and 5 watts each, making them among the lowest-power fixtures in any landscape lighting system. A foundation lighting circuit with ten fixtures drawing 3 watts each totals only 30 watts, roughly equivalent to a single old-fashioned incandescent light bulb. A comprehensive shrub and hedge lighting installation with twenty-five fixtures running from dusk to midnight might add $3 to $8 per month to your Duke Energy bill at current South Carolina rates. The LED technology we use converts nearly all electrical energy into light rather than wasted heat, making these fixtures remarkably economical to operate.

How does shrub lighting work with my existing landscape lighting system?

Shrub and hedge lighting integrates seamlessly with existing landscape lighting installations. If your property already has tree uplighting, path lighting, or architectural lighting, we design the shrub fixtures to complement the existing system in brightness, color temperature, and fixture style. We can often connect new shrub fixtures to an existing transformer if sufficient wattage capacity is available. Because shrub fixtures are low wattage, adding them to an existing system rarely requires transformer upgrades. We typically assign shrub lighting to its own control zone for independent operation. The result is a more complete, layered lighting composition that enhances everything already in place.

What about irrigation? Will the fixtures and wiring be affected by sprinkler systems?

Our fixtures and all wiring components are designed to operate in direct contact with irrigation water without any issues. All fixtures carry IP65 or IP68 waterproof ratings and are fully sealed against water intrusion from any direction, including direct sprinkler spray. Wire connections use gel-filled, waterproof splice connectors that maintain their seal even when submerged. The 12-volt low-voltage system poses zero shock risk even if wire insulation is damaged. During installation, we note the locations of all irrigation heads and run wiring clear of rotary spray patterns where possible, not for waterproofing concerns but to prevent spray from physically moving lightweight fixture stakes over time.

How much does shrub and hedge lighting cost in the Lake Wylie and Charlotte area?

Shrub and hedge lighting is one of the most cost-effective landscape lighting techniques because the individual fixtures are smaller and less expensive than the high-output fixtures used for trees and architectural features. Individual fixture installation including the fixture, wiring share, and labor typically ranges from $175 to $350 per fixture. A foundation lighting package for the front of a typical home with six to eight fixtures runs $1,200 to $2,500 installed. Adding hedge lighting along a fifty-foot privacy screen might add $1,000 to $2,000 depending on hedge height and density. We provide detailed written estimates after our complimentary property assessment, with no obligation to proceed.

Do I need shrub lighting if I already have path lights along my walkway?

Path lights and shrub lighting serve very different purposes and complement each other beautifully. Path lights illuminate the walking surface for safety and navigation, casting small pools of light downward onto the walkway. Shrub lighting illuminates the plantings flanking the walkway, filling in the dark areas between and behind the path lights. Without shrub lighting, you often see brightly lit walkway surfaces bordered by dark, featureless plant masses. With shrub lighting added, the entire corridor comes alive with warmth and depth as both the path and the surrounding plantings are visible and inviting. The combination creates a far more complete and professional appearance than path lights alone.

Will shrub lighting cause my plants any harm?

No. Our LED fixtures produce minimal heat compared to the halogen fixtures used in older systems, so there is no risk of burning foliage or drying out nearby soil. LED light at 2700K warm white does not contain the wavelengths that could disrupt plant growth cycles or flowering patterns. The low-voltage wiring buried in your beds does not emit any energy that affects roots or soil organisms. The fixtures themselves are positioned at the base of shrubs using narrow stakes that fit between root systems without cutting or compressing them. In our decade of installing shrub lighting across the Lake Wylie and Charlotte area, we have never had any adverse plant health effects attributed to our lighting installations.

How do seasonal changes affect shrub and hedge lighting?

The Carolina Piedmont's four distinct seasons create evolving visual interest in illuminated shrubs and hedges. Spring brings flowering Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Loropetalum that glow with color under lighting. Summer provides lush, dense foliage that absorbs and diffuses light for a rich, full effect. Fall introduces color changes in deciduous shrubs like Burning Bush, Virginia Sweetspire, and Oakleaf Hydrangea that are dramatic when illuminated. Winter reveals the structural form of deciduous shrubs and showcases the consistent beauty of evergreen hedges like Boxwood and Holly. Evergreen foundation plantings remain gorgeous year-round, which is why we recommend them as the core of any shrub lighting plan, supplemented by deciduous specimens that add seasonal variety.

Can you light the shrubs around my pool or water feature?

Yes, we regularly light shrub plantings around pools, spas, fountains, and pond features. For poolside installations, we use IP68-rated fixtures that are fully submersion-proof and meet all electrical code requirements for proximity to water. Fixture placement around pools and water features requires careful attention to prevent reflected glare on the water surface, which we achieve by aiming fixtures into the shrub foliage so that light is absorbed and diffused rather than reflecting off leaf surfaces toward the water. The warm glow of illuminated plantings around a pool creates a resort-like atmosphere that dramatically enhances the nighttime swimming and entertaining experience.

What maintenance do shrub lighting fixtures require?

Shrub lighting requires minimal but regular maintenance to perform at its best. The primary tasks are clearing mulch and debris that accumulate around fixture lenses, which happens naturally as mulch decomposes and garden maintenance deposits debris. We recommend gently clearing the lens area every few months and after any mulch top-dressing. Fixture aim should be checked after garden maintenance activities that involve digging or soil disturbance near fixtures. As shrubs grow, fixtures may need to be repositioned to remain at the base of the canopy rather than becoming engulfed within the plant. We offer annual maintenance service that includes lens cleaning, aim verification, plant growth assessment, and wiring inspection for all fixtures in the system.