For commercial property owners, property management companies, and construction professionals, protecting steep areas and keeping unwanted animals out is important for maintaining both aesthetics and safety. Combining functionality with visual appeal, decorative solutions offer an effective way to address these challenges.
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By implementing methods like terracing the property and installing strategic plantings to control erosion you can enhance your property’s appearance while ensuring its integrity.
Steep areas are particularly prone to soil erosion, which can lead to significant damage if not properly managed. Using ground cover plants over large sloped areas helps stabilize the soil and adding aesthetic landscaping with other plants provides visual interest while contributing to soil health and stability.
Decorative solutions extend beyond soil stabilization. Fencing and barriers can be included into the landscape design to enhance the look of the property while keeping animals out and enhancing the site security. By integrating aesthetically pleasing elements such as post and rail fencing reinforced with chain link fence, similar to what is pictured here, can protect your property while maintaining a professional and inviting appearance.
Understanding the Challenges of steep areas on commercial properties
Steep slopes can make it difficult to keep soil in place, leading to significant erosion over time. Using turf grass or native ground cover plantings as a method for controlling erosion on minor slopes is highly recommended. Without proper landscaping and stabilization measures, soil can easily wash away during rainstorms, leaving the area barren and unstable.
Safety is another issue of concern for commercial properties in New Jersey. Property managers and owners need to ensure the safety of employees, tenants, and visitors. Slopes that are not properly managed can become hazardous, increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Installing barriers or decorative fencing can help prevent accidents by clearly delineating these danger zones and providing physical support.
Commercial properties must address the problems caused by unwanted animals. Animals can cause substantial property damage when they burrow into slopes or dig around landscaping plants, shrubs and trees. This undermines the stability of the soil and detracts from the property’s aesthetic appeal. Deer pressure can cause significant damage to the landscape by grazing down expensive plantings and rabbits, groundhogs, geese and rodents, eat herbaceous plants and spread droppings that require additional cleaning and maintenance.
A combination of erosion control techniques, strategic plantings, and protective barriers can help commercial property owners in New Jersey maintain both the beauty and functionality of their landscapes while safeguarding the well-being of their employees and visitors.
Decorative Fencing Solutions
Decorative fencing provides an excellent way to combine functionality and aesthetics in commercial properties.
Vinyl Post and Rail Fencing with Chain Link
Vinyl post and rail fencing is known for its low maintenance and long-lasting durability. Unlike wood, vinyl does not rot, warp, or require frequent painting, making it an excellent choice for commercial properties. This type of fence provides a clean, modern look that can complement various landscape designs.
When combined with chain link or wire fencing, vinyl post and rail fencing offers enhanced security without compromising on aesthetics. The chain link helps prevent small animals from entering the property, protecting valuable plants and shrubs from damage. It also serves as an effective barrier to keep unwanted visitors out, ensuring the safety of employees and guests.
Benefits
- Durability: Vinyl post and rail fencing is weather-resistant and requires minimal upkeep, maintaining its appearance over time.
- Security: The addition of chain link enhances the fence’s effectiveness in keeping animals and intruders out.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Vinyl fencing offers a polished look that enhances the overall landscape design.
Ideal Applications
- Perimeter Fencing: Ideal for defining property boundaries and providing a secure perimeter around the land.
- Garden Areas: Perfect for protecting garden beds from animals while adding a decorative touch.
- Slopes: Effective on slopes for delineating areas and preventing erosion by stabilizing the soil with its structure.
By implementing vinyl post and rail fencing with chain link, you can ensure that your commercial property is both secure and visually appealing. Additionally, this fencing solution can help manage slopes by preventing soil erosion, thereby maintaining the health of the land and preserving essential nutrients for plants.
Incorporating these decorative fencing solutions into your commercial property design can address both functional and aesthetic needs, contributing to a well-maintained and attractive landscape.
Landscaping Techniques to Control Erosion in Steep Areas
Managing steep areas in commercial properties requires innovative landscaping techniques to ensure both functionality and visual appeal. One effective method is constructing walls as part of erosion control methods to stabilize the soil on a slope. Two effective strategies are terracing and the use of ground cover plants, each offering specific benefits and methods
Terracing
Terracing is a highly effective method for controlling erosion on steep slopes. By creating multiple flat surfaces or steps on a slope, terracing helps slow down water runoff, reducing soil erosion significantly. The increased usable space provided by terraces can also transform previously unusable land into functional areas for planting or other purposes, enhancing the overall utility of the property.
Common methods for terracing include building stone walls and wooden retaining walls as seen in the photos, above. Stone walls offer a natural and durable solution, blending well with the surrounding landscape while providing strong support for the terraces. Wooden retaining walls, on the other hand, offer a more customizable and cost-effective option, allowing for various design possibilities that can complement the property’s aesthetics.
Ground Cover Plants
When planning a commercial landscape in the northeastern United States, choosing the right ground cover plants is essential for both aesthetics and practicality. Fast-growing, low-maintenance ground covers not only help to suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion, but they also minimize the time and resources spent on upkeep. Opting for native species offers the added benefits of supporting local ecosystems, attracting wildlife, and ensuring that the plants thrive in the region’s climate. Here is a selection of native ground covers that are ideal for commercial landscapes in the northeastern U.S., providing beauty and functionality with minimal effort.
Here’s a list of fast-growing, low-maintenance, native ground covers that are ideal for commercial landscapes in the northeastern United States:
1. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
- Attributes: Dense, heart-shaped leaves, thrives in shade.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance once established.
- Benefits: Suppresses weeds, tolerates a range of soil types.
2. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Attributes: Evergreen, low-growing, attractive red berries.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers sandy, well-drained soils, full sun to partial shade.
- Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and very low maintenance.
- Benefits: Excellent for erosion control, provides year-round interest.
3. Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)
- Attributes: Slow-spreading, evergreen ground cover with fragrant flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Best in partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance, deer-resistant.
- Benefits: Great for shaded areas, attractive foliage.
4. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- Attributes: Vigorous vine-like ground cover with vibrant fall color.
- Growing Conditions: Tolerates full sun to shade, various soil types.
- Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care.
- Benefits: Erosion control, attracts birds.
5. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
- Attributes: Carpet of colorful flowers in spring, evergreen foliage.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers partial sun to full shade, well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance, tolerates drought.
- Benefits: Great for slopes and rocky areas.
6. Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea)
- Attributes: Bright yellow flowers in spring, evergreen leaves.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, shaded areas, but tolerates a range of conditions.
- Maintenance: Very low maintenance.
- Benefits: Spreads quickly, ideal for shaded areas, deer-resistant.
7. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
- Attributes: Evergreen, low-growing, spreads quickly.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Drought-tolerant, requires minimal care.
- Benefits: Excellent for erosion control, attractive year-round.
8. Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
- Attributes: Small, white flower spikes in spring, attractive foliage.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers shade to partial shade, moist soil.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance, spreads easily.
- Benefits: Great for woodland or shaded areas, deer-resistant.
9. Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)
- Attributes: Fast-spreading fern with soft, delicate fronds.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Virtually maintenance-free once established.
- Benefits: Excellent for naturalistic landscapes, drought-tolerant.
10. Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
- Attributes: Small, white flowers and edible fruit, attractive foliage.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance, spreads quickly.
- Benefits: Provides ground cover, fruit attracts wildlife.
These native ground covers are well-suited for commercial landscapes in the northeastern United States due to their adaptability, minimal maintenance requirements, and ability to quickly establish coverage. Plus, using native species helps support local ecosystems.
Integrating Functionality and Beauty in Commercial Landscaping
Incorporating strategic landscaping techniques and decorative fencing solutions optimizes the functionality and aesthetics of your commercial property. Whether it’s stabilizing steep slopes with terracing and ground cover plants or enhancing security and visual appeal with wrought iron and wooden lattice fencing, these methods provide practical benefits while elevating the charm of your landscape. By carefully planning and implementing these solutions, property owners can ensure a safe, attractive, and well-maintained environment that enhances the experience for employees, visitors, and clients alike.