As a commercial property developer or owner, you want to find a commercial landscape design firm who will partner with you in reaching your long- and short-term goals. Key members of that team will include landscape designers or landscape architects, the professionals who will help enhance the investment potential of your property. Another key team member will be a commercial landscape maintenance company.

Commercial Landscape Design: The Process

The basic components of a commercial landscape design include:

• Design. In the early stages of the design process, your commercial landscape design team will work with you on the program elements, aesthetics and permitting issues. The next phase includes landscape layout, planting plans and cost studies. In providing design services, a true professional should work diligently and patiently to help you define the scope of your project, determine the scheduling, coordinate vendors, assist in the selection of materials, and develop a final budget.

• Landscape lighting. A well-designed landscape lighting system gives a commercial property 24/7 visibility. Since lighting is a big deterrent of crime, one of the most important services that it delivers is safety, thereby providing an invaluable aid to establishments that conduct business at night, such as hotels, country clubs, social clubs, colleges, schools, museums, and restaurants. The second, and equally important, purpose of landscape lighting is to create a memorable nighttime setting for the property.

• Irrigation systems. Money savings and convenience are the ultimate end goals of an irrigation system. It supplies the appropriate amount of water to the appropriate plant material. It separates the lawn, beds and color areas into different zones that require different watering conditions due to the various plant types, sunlight conditions and weather.

• Drainage systems. With Houston's heavy soils, low-lying areas and torrential rains, proper landscape drainage is essential for three reasons: a) to protect your property from flooding b) to protect the foundation of the building(s) from cracking and uneven shrinkage or swelling c) to properly drain roofs and landscaped areas to avoid standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, breeding grounds for mosquitoes or drowned landscaping. A landscape drainage system should be viewed as a whole to ensure that its functions and fixtures work together properly.

Commercial Landscape Design: Maintenance

With your daily priorities of meeting the needs and demands of tenants, establishing property security and controlling budgets, time management is critical. Therefore, it makes your job easier to work with a commercial landscape maintenance provider who honors your time by working efficiently without needing a lot of oversight.

Regular maintenance—

• Turf maintenance. This term includes cutting the grass, edging, feeding and treating—activities that promote healthy plant growth.

• Trimming hedges and ground covers. This task ensures that all elements conform to the overall commercial landscape design.

• Tree care. Trees are valuable assets and can be protected with deep-root fertilization. Aeration also encourages root growth. Trees should be inspected regularly for insect infestations and disease.

• Fertilizations. Regular fertilization is a form of insurance for your plants. It means a methodical feeding program that insures the health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants.

• Herbicide and insecticide treatments. Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are critical to plant health.

Seasonal Color—

Seasonal plantings are an important part of a commercial landscape design because they present a continuously positive image of the property. Your commercial landscape maintenance company should possess extensive knowledge of plant material, color, and texture.

Preventive Maintenance—

Preventive maintenance can be your best defense against potential landscape and property damage and, in the long run, saves money. Items on the checklist include:

• Tree inspection. Watch for branches touching the building or overhead wires. Dead limbs need to be trimmed to promote vigorous growth. Trees should be regularly checked for disease, decay or wounds and swift action taken as needed.

• Irrigation inspection. Regular inspectio