It’s a dream to have a big green plot welcoming people into your business. But many businesses, and small businesses especially, only have a little landscape space to work with. While lots of business owners will prioritize signage and façade, you should also consider landscaping a vital part of your company’s physical branding. And just like with any other kind of branding, a little landscape magic can go a long way.
The irony of smaller landscaping plots is that they’re that much more important to your business’s appearance. People might overlook a dry patch of grass in a larger landscape, but one wilting plant out next to your entryway will stand out like a black thumb. It may be a smaller responsibility area-wise, but you’ve got to make it count.
The key is to have a professional Bradenton landscape designer create a landscape for you that will maximize your company’s appearance, will minimal maintenance and minimal mess.
You may have grand ideas about the plants you’d like to incorporate into your branding, but there are a lot of things to be considered when designing a commercial landscape in Bradenton.
Big South has you covered. Here’s how we do it.
Evergreen Plant Species: Shrubs and Small Trees
Most businesses are open year-round. In Florida especially, your plants don’t get an off-day or a vacation month.
Your business needs plant species that will remain more or less consistently green year-round. When we’re planning a commercial landscape, we take into account not only the size and shape of the species, but also their life cycle.
Drought-Resistant Species
Any plant that requires extra water to stay alive is draining your business’s bottom line. Not only will you spend more money watering, but you’ll have to replace a dead plant sooner or later. Stay in the black with species that will look good with minimal attention.
Plants That Aren’t “Messy”
This is a biggie that less-experienced Florida landscapers may overlook. Our local environment can generate a lot of plant debris.
First, all that rain and sunshine causes plants to grow like mad. “Messy” plants produce berries or flowers that drop off and create a big mess. Worse still, fruits become a slipping hazard when people walk over them. And rotting fruits stink!
On the other side of the coin, your plants will be confronted annually by droughts and storms. In those cases, you’ll find out quickly which ones are hardy and which ones drop leaves and branches everywhere.
Bear in mind, some species that aren’t so messy in other environments can become downright drama queens in Bradenton weather.
Professional Irrigation Design and Installation for Business Landscapes
We’ve covered residential irrigation a bit in a previous blog. For commercial landscapes, an efficient and accurate irrigation layout is arguably even more important.
That’s because your plants may have to be watered during business hours, and you don’t want that spray affecting people who are coming up to the building. You also don’t want puddles forming or mulch washing out onto walkways. And you definitely don’t want the liability of a hose or sprinkler head acting as a trip hazard.
Another big consideration for Bradenton business irrigation systems: our mineral-rich hard water. Especially if your business’s water supply is from a well, any irrigation water that spills over onto walkways will eventually create a copper-colored stain that then requires powerwashing. Better instead to have an efficient spray of water that only goes where it’s needed.
The Commercial Landscape Bottom Line
The plants outside your business will factor into your company’s reputation. Not only do you need plants that look good, but you have to consider a number of other factors that can make the difference between a polished, professional appearance and a big ol’ mess.
