Choosing the Best Plants for Commercial Sites

The magnificent botanical park on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Israel. Large green grassy meadow in the center of the park. Great walk in a clean well-kept park

Want to instantly elevate the appearance of your commercial property? Plants offer the solution.

The right landscaping plants boost a property’s curb appeal and improve tenant satisfaction. But that’s not all: Landscaping with plants can also increase property values.

Don’t just take our word for it. According to research, 81 percent of National Association of Realtors members who sell commercial properties believe curb appeal is important when attracting buyers. Adding hedges, flowers and grass to the landscape makes properties more appealing to potential buyers and tenants alike. Of course, the types and placement of plants matter, too.  

Choosing the right plant for the right place is key. Read on to learn more about creating an attractive landscape with commercial plants. 

Choosing Plants for a Commercial Property

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When choosing plants to enhance your property, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Of course, you want to choose plants that are aesthetically pleasing. But not all plants work in all settings. 

Start with the basics: Determining which plants work best in your specific USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. These zones reflect the specific climate conditions in your region and take average low and high temperatures into account. For instance, much of the Gulf Coast falls into USDA zones 8a to 8b. Start by choosing plants that thrive in these zones. 

Next, look for plants that are easy to maintain. When managing a commercial property, the less maintenance, the better. This may mean choosing native plants. Species native to your region have evolved to thrive in your local climate conditions. Native plants also tend to be resistant to local pests and diseases, making them easy to maintain. 

But even if you don’t choose native plants, choose species that thrive in Northwest Florida’s weather, soil and moisture levels. Look for tough, disease-resistant plants. They should be drought- and salt-tolerant and not require much extra input. 

You’ll also need to consider the specific growing conditions in each area of the landscape and choose plants that thrive in these conditions. Factors to consider include soil type (such as clay, rocky, sand or loam), soil pH and amount of moisture. You’ll also need to know how much light the site receives each day:

  • Full sun receives at least 6 hours of sun per day
  • Partial sun receives 4 to 6 hours of morning sun
  • Partial shade receives 4 to 6 hours of afternoon sun
  • Full shade receives no direct sun 

For commercial property landscaping, it’s best to choose species that come back year after year. Known as perennials (as opposed to annuals, which give a single season of color), these long-lived plants give you more bang for your buck. When choosing perennials, keep color and shape in mind and make aesthetically pleasing selections. 

You’ll also need to consider maximum height and width. Give plants enough room to grow without crowding. Be especially careful when choosing foundation plants closest to your building’s walls and windows. 

Finally, avoid planting invasive species. Check species’ status before purchasing plants.

Does choosing the right plants sound complicated? Don’t worry: Contact the experts at Executive Landscaping.

Designing With Commercial Plants

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Once you’ve determined the varieties that will work best in your landscape, these tips can help you optimize your commercial plants. 

Maximize your planting space for a greater impact. You may consider expanding the planter size to create a showy, dramatic display.

Another pro tip? Planting in groups. This technique involves careful planning, as you don’t want plants to look sparse or crowded. For instance, you’ll want to verify the maximum size of each plant to ensure you give each enough room to spread and grow. You’ll also need to ensure the plants in the front of a planting area stay smaller and more compact than plants in the middle or back of a planting area.

Finally, choose the right-sized plants for the right place. Again, knowing a plant’s maximum size is essential to making appropriate choices. After all, you don’t want a shrub to grow tall enough to block a view from a window or a tree’s roots to disturb a building’s foundation or structure. 

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Learn More About Commercial Landscaping With Plants

Landscaping your commercial property with plants offers many benefits, from increased property value to boosted curb appeal and improved tenant satisfaction. Choosing the right plant for the right place is key. 

It’s a complicated process, but Executive Landscaping is here to help. Contact us today at (850) 478-2312 to learn more about how commercial plants can improve your property.