Commercial Landscape Design
As a commercial property developer or owner, you want to find a
commercial landscape design firm who will partner with you in
reaching your long- and short-term goals. Key members of that
team will include landscape designers or
landscape architects,
the professionals who will help enhance the investment potential
of your property. Another key team member will be a
commercial
landscape maintenance company.
Commercial Landscape Design: The Process
The basic components of a commercial landscape design include:
• Design. In the early stages of the design process, your
commercial landscape design team will work with you on the
program elements, aesthetics and permitting issues. The next
phase includes landscape layout, planting plans and cost
studies. In providing design services, a true professional
should work diligently and patiently to help you define the
scope of your project, determine the scheduling, coordinate
vendors, assist in the selection of materials, and develop a
final budget.
• Landscape lighting.
A well-designed landscape lighting system gives a commercial
property 24/7 visibility. Since lighting is a big deterrent of
crime, one of the most important services that it delivers is
safety, thereby providing an invaluable aid to establishments
that conduct business at night, such as hotels, country clubs,
social clubs, colleges, schools, museums, and restaurants. The
second, and equally important, purpose of landscape lighting is
to create a memorable nighttime setting for the property.
• Irrigation systems. Money
savings and convenience are the ultimate end goals of an
irrigation system. It supplies the appropriate amount of water
to the appropriate plant material. It separates the lawn, beds
and color areas into different zones that require different
watering conditions due to the various plant types, sunlight
conditions and weather.
• Drainage systems. With
Houston’s heavy soils, low-lying areas and torrential rains,
proper landscape drainage is essential for three reasons: a) to
protect your property from flooding b) to protect the foundation
of the building(s) from cracking and uneven shrinkage or
swelling c) to properly drain roofs and landscaped areas to
avoid standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, breeding
grounds for mosquitoes or drowned landscaping. A landscape
drainage system should be viewed as a whole to ensure that its
functions and fixtures work together properly.
Commercial Landscape Design: Maintenance
With your daily priorities of meeting the needs and demands of
tenants, establishing property security and controlling budgets,
time management is critical. Therefore, it makes your job easier
to work with a commercial landscape maintenance provider who
honors your time by working efficiently without needing a lot of
oversight.
Regular maintenance—
• Turf maintenance. This term includes cutting the grass,
edging, feeding and treating—activities that promote healthy
plant growth.
• Trimming hedges and ground covers. This task ensures that all
elements conform to the overall commercial landscape design.
• Tree care. Trees are valuable assets and can be protected with
deep-root fertilization. Aeration also encourages root growth.
Trees should be inspected regularly for insect infestations and
disease.
• Fertilizations. Regular fertilization is a form of insurance
for your plants. It means a methodical feeding program that
insures the health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color
plants.
• Herbicide and insecticide treatments. Continual observation
and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are critical to plant
health.
Seasonal Color—
Seasonal plantings are an important part of a commercial
landscape design because they present a continuously positive
image of the property. Your commercial landscape maintenance
company should possess extensive knowledge of plant material,
color, and texture.
Preventive Maintenance—
Preventive maintenance can be your best defense against
potential landscape and property damage and, in the long run,
saves money. Items on the checklist include:
• Tree inspection. Watch for branches touching the
building or overhead wires. Dead limbs need to be trimmed to
promote vigorous growth. Trees should be regularly checked for
disease, decay or wounds and swift action taken as needed.
• Irrigation inspection. Regular inspections and proper
maintenance minimize the prospect of large amounts of water
pouring from broken lines and heads. Jeff Halper with Exterior
Worlds says, “This service is so important for commercial
properties. For some of our clients, it has meant savings of as
much as $5,000 to $10,000 per month.”
Whether you are developing a new property or want to refurbish
an under-performing one, call
Exterior Worlds at
713-827-2255 to discuss your commercial landscape design needs.
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