Four Elements That Every Commercial Landscape Should Have
ShareIf you're a property manager or owner dealing with commercial properties, you probably already know about the importance that landscaping plays in keeping up outward appearances. After all, even well-kept commercial buildings look seedy and rundown when surrounded by poorly maintained landscaping, and those in public-facing businesses need to maintain a positive visual impression. Besides contributing to an overall attractive picture, commercial landscaping also needs to be functional. Following are four elements that every commercial landscape should have.
Commercial Landscaping Should Be Fire-Resistant
Even those who don't live in areas where regional wildfire activity is common should be mindful of fire danger and plan their landscaping accordingly. For instance, coniferous evergreen groundcovers such as juniper are not recommended because these plants have a high pitch content, and pitch is extremely flammable. Broadleaf evergreens are a far better choice. Commercial property owners should also maintain a six-foot space between landscaping and the buildings themselves.
Commercial Landscaping Should Be Free of Safety Hazards
Commercial property owners spend a lot of time and effort making sure the interiors of their buildings are as safe as possible — after all, with the general public coming and going as well as employees and delivery personnel, the average commercial property gets far more traffic than its residential counterparts. Examples of dangerous landscape-specific conditions include overgrown shrubs and trees that create visibility issues as well as harbor rodent pests, plants that are known to be toxic to humans and/or animals, fallen leaves that turn slick and slippery when wet, and heavy, messy fruits that create slip-and-fall hazards on nearby sidewalks
Commercial Landscaping Should Look Good All Year Round
The landscape outside of commercial properties also needs to look good during all 12 months of the year. Although it's not realistic for outdoor spaces to look as beautiful during the middle of winter as they do in summer when flowers are blooming, it's important to add interest and definition to the winter landscape. Winter-blooming shrubs such as forsythia, flowering quince, and daphne are all excellent choices for breathing life into outdoor spaces when most other plants are dormant.
Commercial Landscaping Should Be Well-Maintained
Residential homeowners can often get away with letting landscaping chores slide for a couple of weeks or so, but commercial landscaping needs to be meticulously maintained on a regular basis in order to keep it looking its best and to prevent fallen leaves and overgrown vegetation from posing safety hazards.
For more information about commercial landscaping, contact some landscaping companies near you.