Whether you manage a retail center, office park, warehouse, or industrial facility, landscaping plays a crucial role in enhancing curb appeal, reinforcing a professional image, and creating a welcoming environment for employees, customers, and visitors.

When selecting plants for your Rochester commercial property, it’s important to consider bloom time, maintenance needs, and overall design cohesion. But one factor that often gets overlooked is strategic plant placement—knowing where to install plants for the biggest visual and functional impact.

Let’s explore the best locations to install plants on commercial landscapes to highlight your property’s best features and improve its overall appeal.

1. High-Traffic Areas

One of the most impactful places to install plants is in high-traffic areas—places where people frequently walk, drive, or gather. These areas include:

Main entrances – Create an inviting first impression with well-maintained greenery.
Walkways and sidewalks – Guide foot traffic and soften hardscape elements.
Employee parking lots – Add a touch of greenery to otherwise barren asphalt spaces.
Building frontages – Reinforce a professional and polished appearance.

Placing low-maintenance shrubs, colorful flowers, and ornamental grasses in these areas draws attention, enhances wayfinding, and makes the space feel more welcoming.

2. Barren or Underutilized Spaces

If parts of your landscape look empty, dull, or forgotten, adding plants can transform these areas into attractive focal points. Consider planting in:

Areas near building entrances – Enhance the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Underused corners of parking lots – Break up large paved areas with soft greenery.
Blank walls or large hardscape features – Use climbing vines, shrubs, or small trees for a layered, natural look.

Incorporating a mix of perennials, small trees, and flowering shrubs can bring life and color to these overlooked spaces.

3. Think Beyond Flowers

While seasonal flowers are a great way to add color, a diverse mix of foliage, texture, and structure ensures year-round visual interest. Consider incorporating:

Ornamental grasses (e.g., switchgrass, feather reed grass) – Provide movement and structure.
Shrubs with seasonal interest (e.g., lilac, viburnum) – Offer flowers in spring and striking foliage in fall.
Perennials with long bloom periods (e.g., sedum, anemone, penstemon) – Add color with minimal upkeep.

By layering different types of plants, you can create a landscape that looks great in every season, not just during peak bloom times.

4. Around Signage & Branding Elements

Your business signage is often one of the first things people see when they arrive. Strategically placed plants can help enhance visibility and create a more inviting presence.

Frame monument signs with low-growing plants and seasonal flowers to add contrast and draw attention.
Use evergreens and perennials around signage for a polished look year-round.
Accent entry signs with a mix of shrubs and ornamental grasses to add height and texture.

5. Layered Planting for Depth & Dimension

A well-designed commercial landscape incorporates layers of plants to create depth, movement, and variety. Consider:

Tall plants (trees & large shrubs) in the back to provide structure.
Medium-height plants (ornamental grasses & perennials) in the middle for texture and color.
Low-growing groundcovers or seasonal flowers in the front to add finishing touches.

When layering, also consider environmental factors, such as:

Sun exposure and shade
Soil drainage and moisture levels
Snow and salt exposure from roads and walkways

Selecting the right plants for each microclimate ensures healthier, longer-lasting landscapes that require less maintenance and provide maximum visual appeal.

Enhance Your Rochester Commercial Landscape with Expert Plant Placement

Investing in strategic plant placement is one of the best ways to boost curb appeal, improve visitor experience, and add value to your property. A thoughtfully landscaped site creates a positive first impression and reinforces your brand’s professionalism.

At PropertyCare, we specialize in helping businesses throughout Rochester, NY design and maintain commercial landscapes that stand out. Our landscape experts will assess your site and recommend the best plants for your location, climate, and aesthetic goals.

Let’s bring your landscape to life. Contact PropertyCare today for a consultation!

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5 Key Places to Install Plants on a Commercial Landscape in Rochester, NY