Commercial Landscaping Blog for The San Jose | Bay Area, CA

10 Drought Friendly Grasses used for Corporate Landscaping

Low Maintenance drought resistant and appealing to the eye. What property manager or owner wouldn’t want to get those qualities out of their commercial landscaping service — at the same time? One way to achieve your goal is through the appropriate design and use of drought resistant landscaping.

Today, drought tolerant grasses are gaining popularity and demand for their low maintenance qualities, including their low water use and pest free benefits. Available in multiple colors, textures and sizes, they are also appealing for corporate and apartment landscaping. When used appropriately, your commercial landscape maintenance will benefit from the year around interest provided, can be used as accents or ground cover, and can even in raised decorative containers. 

Sure, the drought has been dragging on for about four years now! With average temperatures in the high 90's, and water allocations of only two days per week and heat radiating off of concrete and hardscape, the drought is taking its toll on commercial office landscaping. But fearing the drought is no reason to let your commercial landscaping turn brown. You can still have your cake and eat it to.

With landscape managementdon’t need to spend more money on your prominent entryways. We’re talking about the difficult challenging areas in your landscape, like heavy foot traffic areas in parking lot islands and drought stricken areas that are hard to water.

Controlled Water Flow For Commercial Landscaping

One of most powerful tools in any property is water conservation and utility expense management plan is an irrigation system equipped with a master valve and flow meter.

The latest advancement in smart watering technology is being reached by better management of water flow through systems retrofitted with master valves and flow meters. Older systems that were not installed with these features are wasteful during unexpected water flow events.

Late summer is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and even do some transplanting. There are a few simple steps that must be taken in order to ensure success. Planting in the late winter still allows enough time for the plant materials establishment before the warm weather begins. “What is the best time to install new trees and plants one might ask? This is a common question that we get asked from property managers across the San Francisco Bay area that are anxious to get things started.

Some landscaping experts might argue that autumn is the best time to install new landscaping plants and trees alike: And that is correct because the temperatures are moderate allowing for trees and plants to acclimate during the winter cooler months. Even though we are at the tail end of the winter season doesn’t mean you can get started on your commercial landscaping project. Keep the following advice in mind for your early spring landscaping project 

Trees have a life span, some living longer than others. That might somewhat irrational, but dead trees on commercial properties are more common than one might think. Weekly landscape crews may not see or address these problems in their weekly site visits for a variety of reasons. The real question is: How can you tell if a tree is declining on your commercial property?

The right plantings around your properties building perimeter can make a big difference in many ways. Having the right plants that can ultimately tolerate the drought is part of the equation for great water conservation but plant material that could potentially take the place of your water thirsty lawn areas. Planting the right combination of foliage and plants will ultimately impact your water costs and maintenance in one way or the other. The real challenge for most commercial properties is deciding on the right balance of plants that can tolerate the drought conditions we are experiencing in the bay area and fit them into your design.

Fortunately, Nature has been pretty nice to us compared to storms in past seasons and unfortunately has a way of catching us off guard. We have been hit hard with the drought all this year, but that could change quickly.

The plantings around your properties building perimeter can make a big difference in many ways. Having the right plants to tolerate the cold weather is part of the equation for great foundation plants but plant material that is interfering with window views, walk way and crowding out the others is another factor to consider. Planting the right combination of foliage and plants will ultimately impact your landscaping design one way or the other. The real challenge for most commercial properties is deciding on the right balance of plants that can tolerate the cold and fit into your design.

This time of the year is Prime Planting Season for Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers.They often establish more quickly when properly irrigated. The warmer weather allows the plants root system to acclimate more quickly pushing the flowers into bloom.

Landscape Management Tips for the Drought

• Reduce the Landscape watering frequency for established plantings

• Deep water trees keeping them well hydrated

• Monitor Trees and Shrubs for drought stress

• Adjust Watering Frequency Per Drought Watering Restrictions

• Have trees inspected by an experienced arborist for dead or diseased or unsafe branches.

• Consider Long Term Planning for Converting Lawns to Drought Friendly Landscaping

• Replace Annual Color with Drought Resistant Flowers

• Mulch Trees and shrubs for water conservation

• Inspect Plant material for insect damage

• Install Smart Watering Systems

Tips For Walking Your Commercial Landscaping 

A job site walk through with your Commercial Landscape Company or assigned account manager is essential from time to time, this helps keep the lines of communication open assisting everyone to stay focused on your goals and desires.