Landscape Design and Construction By Jon LaDow
Plants Register Green at Retail Registers
T
he exterior landscaping of retail environments has become in- creasingly popular over the last few decades with many archi- tects including plants in their design speci- fications for new shopping centers and retail establishments. But what is it about plants that make them such an important design element with bottom line impact; and how does poor plant design and main- tenance reflect on retailers? Retailers have long understood the im-
portance of the interior store environment in enhancing the shopping experience. But while retailers are focused on the presentation of their product and store, they sometimes overlook the common
areas that surround their shop. The out- door landscape can be the unspoiled ex- tension of shop interiors — providing indoor and outdoor continuity for a posi- tive shopping experience that enthralls all our senses. Interior plants and landscaping work together synergistically to create store interiors that are more favorable for retail activity. Although much of the evi- dence is subjective, it is clear that most re- tailers believe that plants are a vital part of the selling environment and are prepared to allocate the space and resources to ac- commodate them. So what are the top retail plantscaping
foibles, and what plantscaping trends de- serve recognition and applause? Here are
Mix of drought-tolerant foliage at retail entrance — All photos courtesy of Ambius
my picks for the best and worst in retail plantscaping practices:
Retail plantscaping foibles 1. Plant containers used as trash bins — If the plant containers are filled with trash rather than being lovingly maintained, the message conveyed to customers is that no one is minding the store. Maintenance is crucial when integrating live or faux plantings in a retail setting and part of the day-to-day upkeep necessitates frequent maintenance to ensure the healthy life of the plants and their container home.
2. Trampled plants in pedestrian walk- ways — Retail customers will always take
24 Landscape and Irrigation September 2011
www.landscapeirrigation.com
