Commercial Landscaping- Low Maintenance Trends and How Landscaping Improves your Bottom Line

Just as curb appeal is a huge influencing factor for homeowners, commercial businesses need to consider how the maintenance of their exterior property impacts their customers. Maintaining landscaping may be something heaped upon an already growing list of tasks for many property managers or owners, so having a qualified and professional company install and maintain their landscaping can be priceless. The condition of the exterior of your building, primarily landscaping, is the first impression consumers will get of your company. Taking a leap to do more than the minimum of making sure the lawn is mowed and the beds are weeded can really pay off for your company.

7 ways landscaping can help your bottom line

1. Increased Business

2. Increased Trust

3. Build Environmental Stewardship

4. Creates Space to be Utilized

5. Lowers Energy Bills

6. Increases Property Value

7. Solidifies Brand and Image

To put things into perspective, imagine you have planned a vacation with your family to a town you have never visited before. After a long drive, your family is ready to stop for the night. You pull off at the nearest exit and head to the closest hotel. When you pull in, the hotel looks abandoned other than a few cars in the parking lot; Limbs of trees hang over walkways, overgrown bushes cover first-floor windows, and landscape beds are made of dirt. Do you pull in to see the rates and the rooms? If it looks like that on the outside, how must the inside look? A hotel next door that is neatly landscaped certainly makes a better first impression, and wouldn’t that be likely where you would choose? First impressions do matter when it comes to business exteriors. How you maintain the outside of your business hints at how you run things inside as well. Anything companies can do to help build trust and get people in the door is a giant first step. Creating spaces where people can relax, find peace, or create memories has been vital for our clients in the service industry. We would love to talk with you about what elements are the best fit for your business! Wondering how to select a commercial landscape company? Learn more here.

For more information, check out these articles on why commercial landscaping is so important.

The Benefits of Landscapes- Published by the National Association of Landscape Professionals

Does your Commercial Building need more curb appeal?-Bussiness Magazine

How Landscaping helps your Bottom Line- Published by the National Association of Landscape Professionals

3 Simple Suggestions for Low Maintenance Landscape Inspiration

1. Choose perennials- These flowers or plants come back every year as long as they are cared for (watered and trimmed back if necessary). Unlike planting annuals, there is no costly fee yearly of labor and materials for installing and removing flowers. As your landscape matures, the perennials will come back larger and more beautiful each year, filling in your landscaping and making it look like you have added to the beds. While many perennials require little care, certain varieties require consistent pruning and deadheading in order for the landscape to look ‘fresh’.

2. Choose plants that are native to our area. In the long run, plants that are not native to the Northern Michigan climate are going to require a lot more maintenance and attention than those that are built to withstand our climate changes. Black Eyed Susan is one great example of a native Michigan plant that works well in commercial landscapes.

3. Consider installing hardscapes. While it is a larger initial investment, after installation there is very little maintenance required. Retaining walls, beautiful brick paver patios, or raised landscape beds create a lot of interest on your property and if installed correctly, the landscape can be forgotten about. Some pavers do not even need to be sealed anymore and some do not require sand to be added between the stones!

Some of TruNorth’s Commercial Clients