A professionally designed landscape will do many things. It represents your company and its ideals. A well-manicured landscape says that you are neat, professional, organized, that you are environmentally responsible, and you care about the well-being of your customers, tenants, and employees.
However, a landscape that has been strategically designed goes further than that. It will save you money, and even increase revenues. According to a study from the University of Washington, commercial properties with professional, well-maintained landscapes have 7% higher rental rates than those who do not. The study also found that consumers would be willing to pay a 12% more for goods in a store that had attractive landscaping. The more inviting your property, the more customers you’ll have.
Properties with beautiful landscapes sell faster than those that do not, therefore, they increase the property value for themselves and those around them. This, in turn, will bring in surrounding businesses who are equally invested in their own companies, which will raise property values even more.
There are 4 main areas to consider when considering the design of your landscape:
Trees
Trees are one of the best ways to increase the value of your property. Besides being beautiful, they help to cool the property and buildings in the summer months, and in the winter, they help cut down on harsh, icy winds. They help prevent soil erosion, as well as filter pollutants, and their roots absorb water and prevent flooding.
Native/Hardy Plants
It’s recommended to use as many plants that are native to your area as possible. Native or hardy plants will thrive in their home environment with little care or upkeep. This will save you money on their maintenance as well as your water bill. These plants should include your turf too as non-native grasses require a lot of time for upkeep as opposed to ones that are native to your landscape. Because a plant is native to an area, it is usually hardy to that climate. Hardy plants can be resistant to drought, heat, cold, snow, flooding, wind, even to the harshness of salt used in snow removal.
Color
Nothing makes a lush landscape stand out like vibrantly colored flowers and plants. Against a backdrop of the greens of your turf and trees, a few bright accent colors or a sea of vivid flowers will make your landscape a real attention-grabber to anyone passing by. Changing your colors seasonally will give your landscape a different feel depending on the season. Having a bedding program that provides seasonal color not only keeps your property bright and colorful, it also keeps your soil healthy by continually prepping and amending it and feeding and caring for the new plants.
Hardscape
Your hardscape is anything in your landscape design that is not alive. By adding unique features to your design, your landscape can really stand out and show the personality of your company. You can also use features that create welcoming gathering places for your tenants or employees to have a break and relax. Some common landscape features are:
- Rock walls
- Water features
- Privacy hedges, trees, and flowers
- Gazebos
- Benches
- Ornamental stonework
- Tiered steps and walkways
- Holiday decor
Our design team at Bluegrass Landscaping and Maintenance will get to know you, not only understand your wants and needs for your design but also how best to reflect your company’s character. Horticulture certified and Landscape Design certified, they will choose just the right plants, lighting, and features to bring your design to life. Good design is about more than curb appeal; it’s also a strategic plan to save you money, attract more customers, and increase the overall value of your property. All while being beautiful too.
Call our design team at (314) 770-2828 and let us show you how we can increase the value of your property today!
