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A lush, well-maintained landscape can transform any commercial property – be it a restaurant, café, hotel, or office – into an inviting oasis.
Green spaces not only enhance kerb appeal but also attract customers and visitors. But maintaining a vibrant landscape can be challenging for business owners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The region’s hot climate and the high upkeep demands of many plants make it difficult to balance beauty and practicality.
Luckily, there are ways you can achieve a stunning yet low-maintenance landscape that thrives in the UAE’s conditions. In this guide, you’ll learn four expert tips for transforming your outdoor space into something that enhances your business while saving time and resources.
1. Keep Trees and Shrubs Tidy
Properly maintaining trees and shrubs enhances the safety, aesthetics, and security of any commercial property. Regular pruning and trimming prevent overgrowth, reducing the risk of tripping hazards and improving visibility for visitors.
Well-kept greenery not only elevates kerb appeal but also boosts security. In fact, properties with maintained trees are less likely to attract crime since they give the impression of being maintained and monitored regularly.
Monitoring for diseases is another critical step. Diseased branches are weaker and more likely to fall during storms, posing a safety risk. Preventive measures, such as proper fertilisation and pest management, can minimise these risks while keeping your greenery healthy and vibrant.
For areas where live trees require significant upkeep, artificial trees are an excellent alternative.
These low-maintenance options mimic the lush appearance of real trees without needing constant care. They are especially useful in hard-to-reach or high-traffic areas, where regular trimming might be challenging. Artificial trees can also be customised to fit specific landscapes, offering long-lasting beauty while being eco-friendly over time.
Strategically placing trees – whether live or artificial – can guide foot traffic, frame entryways, and enhance the overall layout of your property. The best part? You can combine live plants with artificial alternatives for a balanced, visually stunning landscape that’s both practical and inviting.
2. Focus on Lawn Care
A healthy lawn is the foundation of an attractive commercial landscape, even in the challenging climate of the UAE. To maintain its neat and uniform appearance, you must establish a regular schedule for mowing, edging, and trimming. Beyond aesthetics, doing so also promotes the steady growth of your grass.
Soil nutrient feeding is also crucial for lush lawns. For the UAE’s sandy soils, you need slow-release, nitrogen-rich products that can provide essential nutrients without excessive runoff. These ensure steady growth while helping your lawn resist the harsh climate.
Weed control is equally important as unwanted growths like crabgrass and dandelions thrive in the UAE’s warm, humid environment. Organic herbicides or targeted solutions can keep unwanted growth in check without harming the surrounding ecosystem.
Since irrigation and drainage are also crucial for a healthy lawn, use efficient irrigation systems to prevent drought stress and ensure proper drainage to avoid fungal issues caused by waterlogging. Drip irrigation and moisture sensors are excellent tools for balancing plant hydration with water conservation.
Focus on consistent care and adapting to local conditions to enjoy a vibrant, welcoming lawn that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
3. Pick Your Plants Wisely
To create a thriving, attractive landscape in the UAE’s extreme heat, you need to be extra careful with your plant selection. With temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees Celsius during the summer, the landscapes there must incorporate heat-tolerant, drought-resistant plants.
Don’t know what to pick? Species like date palms, succulents, and desert shrubs naturally thrive in arid conditions, requiring minimal water while adding lush greenery to the environment. It’s also more eco-friendly to landscape with native plants since they help conserve water and support biodiversity.
Incorporating shade structures, such as pergolas, awnings, or shade sails, can protect sensitive plants from intense sunlight. As a bonus, they also help create inviting outdoor spaces for customers, adding functionality to the landscape.
And don’t forget the best planting period in the UAE. Experts recommend planting between October and March when the weather is cooler to minimise plant stress. It is also during this time that plants like neem trees, Hibiscus grandiflorus, and wild petunias flourish.
Conversely, you must avoid planting in the harsh summer months of June through August, as the extreme heat can damage even the hardiest plants.
Of course, space considerations are equally important. Whether dealing with a small garden or expansive grounds, planning for appropriate plant sizes and growth patterns ensures a balanced and functional landscape.
4. Implement Smart Irrigation
Maintaining beautiful landscapes in the UAE’s arid environment while conserving water calls for efficient irrigation. The solution? Smart irrigation systems.
They adjust watering schedules automatically based on real-time weather conditions, ensuring plants receive optimal hydration without wasting water. In the long run, they offer significant cost savings, making them a worthwhile investment for businesses.
Another water-conscious approach is xeriscaping. This landscaping method utilises drought-resistant plants, like succulents and desert shrubs, while reducing grass areas requiring excessive water.
These innovations also reduce the time and effort required for landscape upkeep. This is something business owners concerned about ROI appreciate, considering the long-term utility savings and minimal manual maintenance that goes with it.
For a Greener Future
Maintaining a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape is essential for elevating the beauty and functionality of commercial spaces in the UAE. Team up with professional green landscaping services to implement these strategies to reduce upkeep efforts and costs while enjoying stunning, sustainable landscapes with minimal oversight.
