Tag Archive for: shrub

These 8 Plants Are Perfect for Commercial Properties

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Every owner wants their building to look its best. But maintaining a commercial property takes a ton of work. From maintenance to upgrades, design, and function; having a beautiful outdoor space can be tough to achieve.

That’s why owners need low-maintenance plants. Low-maintenance plants require minimal work, look beautiful, and are the trick to keeping a property looking great year-round.

1. Barberry

Commercial properties are ideal settings for the Barberry shrub to thrive. That’s because this shrub is extremely low maintenance, while still offering owners a bright pop of yellow as the seasons change. It is also a resilient shrub and can withstand a number of soil types, so there’s no need to fret that it won’t work on yours. All the shrub requires is some occasional pruning to ensure there are no dead leaves or branches that are ruining its shape.

2. Fescue

For those in warm climates, consider planting Fescue around the property. Fescue is a hardy, drought-resistant plant. It is commonly used as a replacement for traditional grass given its long green stems and lush look. Plus, this durable plant looks great when added to flower beds as it adds depth that frames it with its long green stems.

3. Ajuga

For owners that want to add a pop of color to their gardens without the hassle of flowers, look no further than the Ajuga. This flowering plant is the perfect addition because of its dense, lush green leaves that act as a base for its flowering buds. These long stem flowers come in a range of colors (from purple to burgundy and green) that require minimal care. But just be careful of where you place it in the garden as it is a creeping plant. This means it will spread if it’s not controlled. So, just be sure to check on it and trim it every so often to ensure its shape does not get out of hand.

4. Blue Mist Spirea

Also known as ‘Bluebeard’, Blue Mist Spirea is another resilient plant that’s perfect for dryer climates. This pollinator plant is heat and drought hesitant, doing well in both full sun and partial shade. Plus, it has blue flowers that bloom in the summer which are guaranteed to brighten any landscape. Owners will just need to keep on top of seasonal pruning in order to keep the plant strong and growing.

5. Coreopsis

For a long-lasting pop of color, the bright Coreopsis is a great choice. That’s because its vibrant flowers bloom from early summer to early fall. They also come in a variety of shades ranging from yellow to orange, pink, purple, and red. This perennial plant is another easy grower as it tolerates almost any soil condition and works both inside and out.

6. Mondo Grass

Another low-maintenance plant you may want to add to your commercial property is Mondo Grass. Black Mondo Grass thrives in a variety of landscapes regardless of how much light it gets. So, owners can plant it on shady sides of the property without needing to worry. They are also resistant to most types of wildlife such as rabbits and deer which means owners don’t need to monitor them for pests. The only downside to this plant is that it requires adequate moisture so consider adding it to an area with an irrigation system to limit the amount of time spent watering.

7. Fountain Grass

For a tall, dense look add fountain grass to a property. This clumping grass thrives in full sun. And better yet, they require little care once placed there. They also hardly need water once installed so long as the area they are planted in gets some rainfall. The only maintenance it requires is in early spring or late winter when it should be cut back and trimmed. Trimming helps stimulate growth and encourages new stems to take form.

8. Maiden Grass

Maiden Grass, also known as Chinese Silver Grass, is one of the hardiest plants commercial owners can use on their property. Not only is this plant resistant to drought, but its disease and pest-resistant (deer, rabbits, and other lawn pests).

The only thing owners should be concerned about is if it is allowed to be planted in their state. In some States, Maiden Grass had been deemed an invasive species. But, despite this, ornamental varieties have become popular and are now being bred to be sterile so they won’t spread.

Finding the Right Plants for Your Commercial Property

Ultimately, we know first-hand how difficult it is to maintain a commercial property. That’s exactly why we suggest speaking with a member of our team for advice on how to make it easier for you.

If you’d be interested in seeing how State of the Art Landscape could help, get in touch at 703-421-3666 or email admin@stateoftheartlandscape.com.

Why Shrubbery & Tree Trimming Should Be Part of Your Landscaping Routine

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Regular trimming of your outdoor plants is crucial. Not only is it needed to maintain the property’s appearance, but it makes sure the space is accessible. Without it, debris, dead leaves, and plants can quickly pile up; resulting in a mess.

Plus, failing to trim can actually impact the overall health of your garden. It can prevent sunlight from penetrating and encourage the growth of diseased or sickly plants. All of which could be detrimental to the garden’s overall health.

Seeing as we understand how important shrubbery and tree trimming is, we’ve outlined the top reasons why it should be a regular part of your landscaping routine.

Tree and Shrub Appearance

The most obvious reason why it’s important to regularly trim your shrubs and trees is that it improves the overall appearance of the plant. Without regular maintenance, plants can quickly grow out of balance with the yard or their own growth pattern. This can result in the branches straying away and impacting other features of the space.

For owners with smaller areas, this is especially important as plants can quickly grow in size; imposing on others. Not only is the size an issue, but having stray and overgrown branches can ruin other areas by growing into it. All resulting in the space looking unkempt and uncared for; something that no owner wants.

But this issue can quickly be resolved with a regular trimming schedule as it ensures the growth pattern remains the same.

Impacts Health

Any dying, diseased, or injured branch should be removed from the plant immediately. That’s because a single damaged branch can impact the overall health of the tree or shrub. These branches take up valuable space and resources causing the healthier portions of the plant to struggle to get the nutrients it needs.

But, cutting off the portions of the plant that are diseased or infected with fungi stops the spread while encouraging sunlight and air circulation to impact the healthier portions.  

Encourage Growth

Pruning a growing shoot stimulates new production. So, for owners wanting some vigorous new growth on their plants, pruning is encouraged. Not only can pruning a growing plant be beneficial, but it will also coax growth spurs on flowering plants and fruit ones.

Growth spurs are important to plants, seeing as it is the area that produces the flowers and fruit. When pruning the plants regularly, the spurs encourage strong buds and air circulation; resulting in lush-looking beds and healthy fruit production.

Enhance Sightlines

It should come as no surprise that overgrown trees and shrubs are unsightly to look at. But, their large size can even impact sightlines to other areas of your property. That’s because they can block other features and be the only thing that people see.

Having trees or shrubs planted close to a property can even impact sightlines from windows. This results in a lack of sunlight entering the property and a blocked view from the interior. But regular pruning and tree trimming help to stop this issue. It spots potential problems and helps to open up views, ensuring that the entire garden is always in view.  

Safety

When trees and shrubs grow out of hand, it becomes a health and safety hazard. Added debris from broken trees or shrubs can fall, blocking walkways for pedestrians and vehicles. This can make it difficult for people to navigate around the property and to find the entrance. Plus, if branches break off they are at risk of falling and hurting those on the property.  

Overgrown features can even impact other buildings and structures. Heavy branches and overgrown trees can quickly impact things like fences, telephones, or power lines causing damage and a bigger headache down the line.

That’s why a regular pruning and maintenance schedule is needed to keep the growth of your plants on track.

 

Shrubbery & Tree Trimming with State of the Art Landscaping

At State of the Art Landscaping, we know the importance of taking care of your outdoor space. We believe that a well-kept exterior reflects the care and pride you put into the property. That’s exactly why our dedicated team helps. We maintain properties year-round; customizing trimming and pruning schedules to ensure your gardens are always looking their best.

So, if you’re interested in seeing how pruning and trimming can improve the appearance of your plants, consider getting in touch with a member of our team today by contacting us today.