Top 7 Favorite Plants to Light in Pacific Northwest Landscapes

Top 7 Favorite Plants to Light in Pacific Northwest Landscapes

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its dramatic evergreens, sculptural maples, and lush, layered gardens. With so much natural beauty surrounding Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, and the greater King County region, landscape lighting becomes less about simply illuminating a yard—and more about revealing the quiet luxury that already exists outside the home. At Northwest Outdoor Lighting, we use low-voltage LED lighting and our signature Sunset Tone to bring warmth, depth, and elegance to the plants that define PNW living. Whether you’re designing a wooded estate in Sammamish, a waterfront home on Lake Washington, or a modern courtyard in Medina, these seven plants consistently create the most breathtaking results when professionally lit.

1. Japanese Maple

Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are among the most photographed and beloved plants in the PNW—and for good reason. Their branching structure, delicate leaves, and incredible seasonal color make them a stunning focal point after dark.

Why we love lighting them:

• Creates dramatic shadow play on walls and architecture

• Highlights the sculptural canopy with precise uplighting

• Offers year-round beauty, especially with Sunset Tone’s warm glow on red and green foliage

Japanese maples are featured in many of our award-winning projects, especially around courtyards, driveways, and front entries.

You can view photos from a project we completed with Japanese Maples here. 

(Photo provided by cobbtrees.net)

2. Evergreen Trees (Cedar, Douglas Firs, & Spruces)

Evergreens are the backbone of Pacific Northwest landscapes. Their towering height and layered textures provide an opportunity to create dramatic vertical lighting that adds scale and depth to a property.

Why we love lighting them:

• Creates a sense of privacy and perimeter definition

• Showcases the tall silhouettes common to PNW properties

• Beautiful when layered with pathway lights or architectural uplights

On large estates, we often use a combination of wide-beam uplights and soft grazing to highlight the trunks, canopy, and surrounding understory.

View More of This Project: Wind & Tide Hillside Estate | Edmonds, WA

3. Boxwoods & Shaped Shrubs

Boxwoods, laurels, and sculpted shrubs appear in many of the curated, design-forward homes we illuminate across Seattle and Bellevue. These structured plants elevate the landscape with clean lines and elegant symmetry.

Why we love lighting them:

• Modern, polished, and luxurious presentation

• Perfect for front entry lighting, courtyards, and formal garden areas

• Respond beautifully to the soft illumination of Sunset Tone

Boxwoods are also one of the most photographed elements in our driveway and front-entry galleries.

View More of This Project: Bellevue Nightscape Lighting

4. Rhododendrons (Washington’s State Flower)

No PNW landscape feels complete without at least one rhododendron. These evergreen shrubs offer bold flowers in spring, followed by deep green leaves the rest of the year.

Why we love lighting them:

• The large leaf structure catches light beautifully

• Creates a lush, full glow without harshness

• Flowering seasons look exceptional when softly washed in warm light

A softly lit rhododendron can add instant elegance to both modern and traditional homes.

View More of This Project: Stunning Landscape Lighting Design in Snohomish

5. Ornamental Grasses & Ferns

Grasses and ferns bring movement, lightness, and natural texture—especially in shaded woodlands or along water features.

Why we love lighting them:

• Light dances through fronds and plumes

• Adds depth at lower levels of the landscape

• Enhances pathways, ponds, and backyard gardens

Because they sway with the breeze, lighting these plants adds a soft, almost cinematic feel.

View more of this project in Tacoma.

6. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a Northwest favorite. Their round blooms and broad leaves create beautiful, full shapes that glow elegantly after dark.

Why we love lighting them:

• Creates a romantic, timeless look

• Blooms look incredible under warm color temperatures

• Works well in front entry gardens, patios, and backyard gathering spaces

Lighting is typically soft and diffused to avoid flattening the blooms.

7. Feature Trees (Birches, Magnolias & Dogwoods)

Beyond Japanese maples, several tree varieties in the PNW make exceptional statement pieces—especially birches, magnolias, and dogwoods.

Why we love lighting them:

• Their bark and branching create high visual interest

• Seasonal blooms look stunning in our custom Sunset Tone

• Provides height and structure to larger lighting designs

On waterfront and woodland properties, these trees often become the “anchor points” of the nighttime scene.

View more of this project in Lake of the Woods.

Lighting Plants in the Pacific Northwest Climate

The PNW’s climate—rainy winters, shaded forests, and lush growth—makes professional lighting essential for longevity and safety. At Northwest Outdoor Lighting, we use premium USA-made fixtures and expert installation techniques designed for wet weather, steep slopes, and heavily wooded homes.

We proudly serve:
Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Sammamish, Issaquah, and surrounding King County areas.

Our plant-focused lighting designs appear in some of the region’s most elegant properties, including lakefront estates, wooded acreages, and timeless architectural homes featured in publications like Portrait Magazine and Luxe.

Ready to Transform Your Landscape?

Whether you want subtle pathway illumination or a dramatic showcase of your favorite trees and garden features, our design team can create a custom lighting plan using our signature Sunset Tone and award-winning fixtures.

Schedule a consultation to illuminate the plants that make your home feel uniquely Pacific Northwest.