The plants outside your business can draw people in or repel them. The right plant in the right place will add curb appeal. A dead or dying plant makes it look like you do not care. Here are some tips to finding low maintenance, hardy plants that will bring customers to your business.
Site Audit
Before you can find the right plant for your business, you need to know the amount of sunlight each area gets. Look at the area at different times of the day. Record what you see. It is also a good idea to look at how moist your soil is. You can irrigate a dry site, but it is hard to dry up a wet one. Putting a plant that likes dry soil in wet soil is a waste of money. The plant will get root rot and die.
Size
Measure the areas you have to landscape. Choose trees and shrubs that will not be too large for the site. Don’t plant a tree like a white oak that grows to be 100 feet with a spread of 40 feet if you do not have the land for that. Choose a tree that is smaller and that won’t overwhelm the landscape, like a red bud tree.
When you first plant your landscape, it might look a bit sparse if you choose the right plants. The plants will grow and fill in the gaps. Once way to deal with the time it takes for the permanent plants to grow and fill the gaps is to use potted seasonal plants between the permanent plants. As the permanent plants grow into the space, you can remove the pots. You could also use seasonal annuals planted between the permanent plants.
Growth Habit
Trees, shrubs, and perennials all have growth habits. This refers to the shape of the plant. Some plants are very slender, like a column. Others spread out into a pyramid shape. Still others spill over containers like planters. Choose a selection of different growth habits to make the landscape interesting. Too many plants of the same growth habit can be boring and fail to draw the eye.
When Does The Plant Bloom?
Most people like flowers. Try to choose plants that have a variety of flower bloom times so that you have something blooming from early spring to late fall. An effective way to draw attention to your business is to plant things that will flower in one of the business’ signature colors, such as red, white, or blue. Blooms also attract bees and butterflies, which many people enjoy seeing.
Plant For Foliage
If you have a place that is heavily shaded, you will have a hard time finding many flowering plants that will live there. Instead, plant things that have different textures, different foliage colors, and different leaf shapes. Many variegated plants will do well in shade and the different patterns of white and green are interesting to see. Planting things with dark green, green, and light green in a shade garden can also add interest.
Winter Interest
When choosing plants, try to include some that have interesting bark, structures, or fruit. A plant with exfoliating bark during the winter will look better than a tree with regular bark. Some plants, like witch hazel, have interesting branch shapes which poke this way and that. Others, like dogwood, have fruit that persists in the winter. Winter fruit provides crucial calories to birds and wildlife while adding color to gray landscapes.
Help Wildlife
Choosing plants that are native to your area helps wildlife. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees all appreciate native plants for their food and shelter. Even if you are in a busy city, you can provide some habitat for insects. Insects draw birds, which can liven up a landscape.
Fall Color
Deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves in the fall. Some trees and shrubs, like red oak trees, have leaves that turn brilliant red, orange, and yellow during the fall, adding to the curb appeal. Planting deciduous trees on the southern side of your business will shade it during the summer and let the sun shine on it during the winter, helping with energy costs.
Longevity
Choosing long lived perennials, trees, and shrubs makes economic sense. Why choose something for your landscape that you will have to replace in a few years? You will have to buy the new plant and either plant it yourself or pay someone else to plant it. You have too many other things to do.
Not Invasive
Invasive plants are not native to the area and will spread to places where they are not planted. Not only does this play havoc with your planned landscape design, but invasive plants also crowd out natives. This reduces the habitate for wildlife. For example, landowners were given kudzu by the USDA in the early 1900s to plant for erosion management and cattle food. Landowners spend millions of dollars to eradicate it in places like Florida and Georgia. Plant native perennials, trees, and shrubs so you do not contribute to the problem.
Not Messy
Some trees, such as mulberries and magnolia trees, are messy. They either produce lots of fruit or their flowers are big and messy. You don’t need to sweep the parking lot or sidewalks every day because the trees make a mess.
Low Inputs
Pick native plants for your landscape. They make economic sense. You will not have to water them after they get established unless there is a bad drought. They are adapted to the pests and diseases in your area, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money and time treating them with pesticides. Native plants are also adapted to the kind of soil in your area, so they won’t need much fertilizer.
Advice For Your Site
At Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, we pride ourselves on our customer service. We can recommend the correct plant for your site. Give us a call at 931.692.7325 to get started.
