Commercial Landscape Solution - Planting New Shrubs Creates A Positive Business

Commercial landscape solutions with new shrubs can create a positive atmosphere for business clients and personnel. What can you do with the landscaping on your grounds or outside of the building or buildings?

Maybe you are just starting a new business or its in the budget this year to replace some of those overgrown, woody shrubs.

Planting new plants or ground and maintenance doesn't have to be an over expense to any budget. This type of landscaping is becoming a given today for appearance and also to create a positive atmosphere for employees.

Top management want their personnel to take pride in a job. All the same tips in this article apply for a residential home as well as a large, small, private or commercial business. Either way it is important to plan and execute correctly before you begin any project.

One of the first items on the agenda is to get at least three bids from landscaping companies or contractors. You don't have to go elite, and don't always decide on the cheapest bid. Here are a few tips to consider.

1. Meet with the landscapers and assess the entire area.



2. Think about planting low maintenance shrubs. Evergreen shrubs are great as they retain their color year around.



3. Lawn maintenance and shrub care are also very important. Find out the programs from each of the landscape companies.
   
   How many times do they fertilize, spray for weeds and insects during a year? Be careful about certain companies that will put you on the schedule for weekly mowing.
   
   In the heat of the summer with no rain, grounds don't need the regimental schedule of once a week.
   
   Be aware of what time of the year shrubs or trees are pruned. Plants should never be pruned during their growing periods. Most trees and shrubs are pruned in the fall or early spring.
   
   Some flowering shrubs are pruned back after blooming. These are details the contractor should know, but being aware of them will help you in making sure the plants grow and stay healthy.



4. There are commercial landscape companies and residential companies. Many residential landscapers do excellent work in commercial jobs. Look into both types of contractors.



5. Every company today is on a budget. If you have a large landscape area to do, don't always go with the larger plant specimens. You can opt for a smaller size and if designed well, will give you the same effect.




Here are a couple of pictures taken before and after in a commercial building. Notice the smaller size plants. These are three gallon containers. This job was done in 2004 and now many of the evergreen shrubs have reach their maturity. The photo below were taken right after the shrubs were installed.







I have seen major corporations spend thousands of dollars for that instant fix. The landscape is absolutely beautiful but there is no room for improvement or future changes. If you are head of grounds and maintenance department you know the possibility of budget cuts at any given time. Even in a small business sometimes landscape projects are put near the bottom of the list of priorities.


6. Trees are a big investment in commercial business. Make sure your contractor knows what is best suited for around the entire grounds or near the building or buildings. You will depend on this contractor as being the expert. Make sure the landscaper knows the maturity of each tree or shrub so the plants are properly placed.



7. Compare prices on having mulch blown or labor laying of mulch. Also find out about the different options of Mulch, pine straw or decorative stones finish a commercial landscape project.

Detail planning correctly for any company landscape project is important. Understanding these options will not only please your boss or budget, it will also give personnel, as well as your clients and vendors a good sense of an overall appearance.

I have done different landscape projects for a variety of commercial companies. Whether it is lawn care, pruning shrubs or trees, new plants, or a total make over, take the extra time to review with your landscape contractor the over all plan, and any warranties on labor or plant replacement.

The extra time you spend before the project or program begins, will potentially save you time and money down the road. This also pertains to decorating your interior office.

If you are a smaller company and doing the project yourself, remember to execute the method of planning, prepping, and properly planting.

It doesn't matter if you are a small company or a large corporation, any landscape area in a commercial setting is the first thing your clients or vendors will see when they approach the property. The outside is just as important when people come to work or leave. How nice it is when a client or vendor pulls up to a well groomed commercial setting. Whether or not you are a large company or a very small one, you may opt either to hire out a landscaper or do it yourself. If you are hiring out it is important to know your landscaper. Plan and execute properly and your business will thrive from a landscape perspective.