Lightscaping - or lighting the exterior of your home and gardens - adds drama and excitement, say lighting specialists at Osram Sylvania Products Inc.

When you are planning new lighting strategies for the outside of your home, think about what you want to accent, what mood you want to project, what security you need, how the lights will interact wlth the texture of your home and how the light will guide guests to your entrance.

Lightposts direct people toward your front door, but a combination of illumination that includes pathway lights may make their footing more secure.

Specimen plants such as the sculpture-like shape of a Hinoki cypress or a terrific topiary can be fun to accent. A water garden could look neat when cast with light, especially if you float an evergreen wreath on it this month and December. Too much light, however, on too many objects can be confusing clutter.

Lighting mounted within tree branches can vbe very effective in creating a moonlight effect, says Pamela Horner at Sylvania. Shadows cast onthe ground create pleasing patterns on your lawn.

Colored lights should be used sparingly and for special times such as the holidays and for highlighting fall foliage. Warmth comes with yellow, orange and red; blue, green and purple cast coolness.

Be extra careful when choosing finishes for your lighting needs. Brass can be frustrating because it pits and tarnishes easily in our salt-laden air. Look for aluminum with powder-coat finishes or copper.

Adjusta-Post Lighting Company has just introduced EverStone lighting in post- and wall-mounted styles. The cultured stone comes in a garnet red, sapphire blue, jade green, sandstone, terra cotta, midnight and graystone. It's a material you will not have to paint or polish. Call (800)321-2132.