Integrating Aquatic Plants into Water Features
McKay Lighting
Two years ago, a client came to McKay Lighting in Omaha, Neb., to expand the holiday lighting on his home and find a creative way to hide a newly installed water feature in the front yard during the winter. The company developed a design that included one 14-foot LED RGB cherry blossom tree and two 8-foot RGB trees that are wired together to rotate through the color wheel.
McKay installed the three trees along with 50 24-inch LED starbursts in red, green and blue hanging in the canopy of the trees and wrapping the tree trunks with white LED strands. In the back the company installed the owner's existing “Merry Christmas” sign on the fence and one 14-foot RGB cherry tree, and hung 50 24-inch LED red, green and blue starbursts in the six blue spruces. “It was a huge success so the next season he was eager to continue making it bigger and more unique,” says Andrew J. Coleman, a McKay outdoor lighting designer. Coleman added another 100 LED 24-inch red, green and blue starbursts to the rest of the front trees and evergreens, and added two red, two green and two blue solid color 8-foot LED cherry blossom trees along his circle drive.
“He has the ability to control his RGB trees by a remote control that lets you change the colors and speed,” Coleman says. “The client wanted a unique display that presented well in the neighborhood, but not over the top.” The weather can be a challenge in Omaha, and Coleman had to make sure there was consistent power for the display that turned on and off every night. “We can't control the weather, but can minimize our exposure by waterproofing the connections by using longer cords, having fewer plug junctions and a service team ready at all times if there are problems,” he says.
Photo courtesy of McKay Landscape Lighting/Kessler Photography
Elkhorn Lawn Care
This Omaha home, decorated by Elkhorn Lawn Care in Omaha, Neb., has more than 50,000 LED lights. Icicle Linkables line the front and rear of the home along with tree lighting and displays in the front yard. This project is one of a kind with lighting at every angle. “One obstacle we had to solve was the amount of moisture we had this holiday season, which caused tripped breakers,” says Elkhorn owner James Manske. “We solved this problem by making sure all major connections were lifted off the ground and were not sitting in water or by taping up plug-ins that were not being used.”
Photo courtesy of Michael Borman Photography
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