The commercial landscaping industry has a dirty little secret: most properties are designed to look impressive at installation, not to function efficiently over time. At Avid Landscape, we’re challenging this outdated approach with a principle that’s both elegantly simple and remarkably effective. We like to call it “Right Plant, Right Place”.
What “Right Plant, Right Place” Really Means
This isn’t just another landscaping catchphrase. Right plant, right place is a strategic approach that considers each plant’s mature size, natural shape, water requirements, light needs, and compatibility with local climate and soil conditions before it ever goes in the ground.
When executed properly, this principle eliminates the need for constant pruning, reduces chemical interventions, and dramatically cuts water waste. The result is landscapes that actually improve with age instead of becoming increasingly problematic.
Why This Problem Exists
The root of most commercial landscaping issues starts at installation. Builders and property developers want immediate visual impact, and rightly so! Their job is to sell properties, and landscaping equals curb appeal. We can’t blame them for prioritizing what moves units off the market.
However, they often lack the horticultural education to understand the long-term consequences of packing in oversized plants and large caliper trees. The result is landscapes that look impressive at installation but become maintenance nightmares as plants mature beyond their intended spaces.
The Hidden Costs of Getting It Wrong
Walk through any commercial property installed in the last decade, and you’ll likely see these expensive consequences:
Constant Corrective Pruning: We regularly encounter properties where maintenance crews must aggressively prune everything just to keep plants within their designated spaces. This isn’t maintenance, it’s damage control. Understanding these escalating costs is crucial for commercial landscape budget planning.
Recurring Replacement Costs: When plants consistently fail to thrive or outgrow their spaces, property managers face ongoing expenses to remove and replace them.
A Real-World Example: The Kirkland Case Study
One of our most telling examples sits in Kirkland, Washington. This commercial property showcases what happens when plants reach maturity in spaces they were never meant to occupy. What started as an attractive landscape now requires extensive monthly pruning to prevent plants from overwhelming walkways and building entrances.
The maintenance crew spends hours each visit fighting against nature, forcing plants into unnatural shapes that compromise both their health and the property’s aesthetics. But, the irony is that with proper plant selection at installation, this property could have maintained its professional appearance with minimal intervention.
The Avid Difference: Designing with the Future in Mind
Our approach starts with a fundamental shift in thinking. Instead of asking “What will look good now?” we ask “What will thrive here for the next 20 years?”
Smart Species Selection: We recommend dwarf and naturally compact varieties that maintain their intended shape without constant intervention. Why force a plant to stay small when you can choose one that naturally grows to the perfect size?
LARGE SHRUBS / SCREENING PLANTS
Traditional: Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)
Alternative: Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica)
Why: Native, evergreen, salt/sun tolerant, fewer disease issues
Traditional: Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)
Alternative: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Why: Slower growing, more resilient, native habitat value
Traditional: Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Alternative: Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Why: Native, colorful foliage, bird/wildlife friendly
MEDIUM SHRUBS / ACCENT PLANTS
Traditional: Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Alternative: Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)
Why: Native, evergreen, more pest resistant, better wildlife value
Traditional: Otto Luyken Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Alternative: Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Why: Evergreen native, drought tolerant, pollinator friendly
Traditional: Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Alternative: Native Spiraea (Spiraea douglasii)
Why: Native species with similar aesthetic but higher ecological value
FLOWERING PERENNIALS
Traditional: Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Alternative: Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Why: Longer bloom time, drought tolerant, attracts pollinators
Traditional: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)
Alternative: Rudbeckia hirta (native form)
Why: True native, reseeds naturally, great pollinator plant
Traditional: Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Alternative: Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis) or California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)
Why: Same airy texture, more regionally appropriate options
GRASSES / GROUNDCOVERS
Traditional: Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
Alternative: Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis)
Why: Native, drought tolerant, same blue tone
Traditional: Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Alternative: Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) or Sedges (Carex spp.)
Why: Native options, better adapted, more wildlife value
Traditional: English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Alternative: Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Why: Native groundcover, less invasive, more ecologically beneficial
SMALL TREES / ORNAMENTAL TREES
Traditional: Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Alternative: Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Why: Native, showy spring blooms, edible fruit, fewer structural issues
Traditional: Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Alternative: Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)
Why: Native, similar aesthetic, wildlife friendly
Traditional: Eastern Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Alternative: Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) or Hybrid Dogwood (Cornus ‘Eddies White Wonder’)
Why: Better adapted to West Coast climates
Appropriate Spacing:
Rather than creating instant fullness with overcrowded plantings, we design for mature growth, allowing each plant the space it needs to reach its natural potential.
Native and Adapted Plants:
We prioritize species that have evolved to thrive in Pacific Northwest conditions, dramatically reducing water needs, disease susceptibility, and maintenance requirements.
- Native groundcovers – Kinnikinnick, Oregon Grape, Coastal Strawberry
- Native Flowering shrubs – Red-Flowering Currant, Snowberry
- Perennials/Seasonal Interest – Common Camas, Douglas Aster
The Sustainability Factor
Right Plant, Right Place isn’t just about reducing maintenance costs; it’s about creating genuinely sustainable landscapes. When plants are properly matched to their environment, they require fewer resources across the board:
- Water Conservation: Well-adapted plants need significantly less irrigation. Learn more about our comprehensive approach in our summer irrigation evaluations.
- Reduced Chemical Inputs: Healthy plants in appropriate conditions resist pests and diseases naturally, supporting integrated pest management strategies.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Less maintenance means fewer truck rolls, less equipment use, and reduced fuel consumption
Beyond Installation: The Consultation Advantage
Many landscape companies focus solely on installation, leaving property managers to figure out long-term care on their own. Avid takes a different approach through our design and installation services. We offer consultation during the design phase, helping clients understand the long-term implications of their plant choices before installation begins.
This proactive approach prevents problems rather than simply responding to them, saving clients substantial money while creating more sustainable landscapes.
Looking Forward: A New Standard for Commercial Landscaping
The landscaping industry often operates on autopilot, repeating the same plant selections and spacing standards that have created maintenance problems for decades. At Avid, we’re willing to challenge these norms when they don’t serve our clients’ best interests.
Sometimes this means recommending smaller plants at installation for better long-term results. Sometimes it means suggesting alternative species that property managers haven’t considered. Always, it means prioritizing long-term success over short-term visual impact.
The future of commercial landscaping isn’t about more maintenance. It’s about smarter design. It’s about creating landscapes that become more beautiful and valuable over time, not more problematic.
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you’re tired of landscapes that require constant correction and escalating maintenance costs, it might be time to consider a different approach. Right Plant, Right Place isn’t just a philosophy; it’s a practical solution that delivers measurable results.
Want to learn more about creating sustainable, cost-effective landscapes? Sign up for our newsletter to receive expert insights, case studies, and practical tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Contact Avid Landscape to learn how this principle can transform your commercial property from a maintenance burden into a sustainable asset that actually improves with age.
Frequently Asked Questions: Right Plant, Right Place
What does “right plant, right place” mean in landscaping?
Right plant, right place means selecting plants based on their mature size, natural shape, water requirements, light needs, and compatibility with local climate and soil conditions. This principle ensures plants thrive in their designated spaces without requiring excessive maintenance, pruning, or replacement over time.
How much money can proper plant selection save on maintenance costs?
Proper plant selection can reduce landscape maintenance costs by 30-50% annually. Properties with correctly sized plants require significantly less pruning, watering, fertilization, and plant replacement. The biggest savings come from eliminating the need for constant corrective pruning and premature plant replacement.
What are the most common mistakes in commercial landscape plant selection?
The three most common mistakes are: 1) Overplanting with oversized specimens for immediate visual impact, 2) Choosing plants that will outgrow their designated space within 3-5 years, and 3) Selecting species that require frequent pruning to maintain desired size and shape rather than plants that naturally grow to fit the space.
When should you choose native plants over non-native species?
Choose native plants when you want to minimize water usage, reduce pest and disease problems, and lower long-term maintenance costs. Native plants are adapted to local climate conditions and typically require 50% less water and fertilizer than non-native species. They’re especially beneficial for commercial properties seeking sustainability certifications.
How do you determine the right spacing between landscape plants?
Plant spacing should be based on each plant’s maturity, not its current size at installation. Space plants so their mature canopies will just touch or have a small gap between them. This typically means spacing plants 1.5 to 2 times their mature width apart, depending on the desired coverage timeline.
What’s the difference between dwarf and standard plant varieties for landscaping?
Dwarf varieties are bred to stay smaller at maturity while maintaining the same visual characteristics as their full-size counterparts. For example, dwarf holly varieties may reach 3-4 feet tall versus 8-12 feet for standard varieties. Using dwarf varieties eliminates the need for constant pruning in confined spaces.
How long does it take for properly selected plants to reach maturity?
Most shrubs and perennials reach 75% of their mature size within 3-5 years when properly selected and planted. Trees typically take 5-10 years to reach significant maturity. The key is choosing plants whose mature size fits the intended space from the beginning, eliminating future problems.
Why do builders often create problematic landscapes?
Builders prioritize immediate curb appeal to sell properties quickly, which is essential for their business success. However, they often lack horticultural education about long-term plant growth. This leads to overplanting and poor species selection that creates maintenance problems years later when plants outgrow their spaces.
What are the signs that plants are in the wrong location?
Key warning signs include: plants requiring monthly or more frequent pruning to stay in bounds, plants consistently struggling with diseases or pest problems, excessive water needs compared to other areas, plants growing into walkways or building structures, and bare spots where plants have failed to establish or died.
How can property managers avoid costly landscape redesigns?
Property managers can avoid redesigns by consulting with knowledgeable landscape professionals during the planning phase, choosing plants based on mature size rather than current appearance, prioritizing native and adapted species, and investing in proper plant selection upfront rather than focusing solely on installation costs.
At Avid Landscape, we believe great landscaping should enhance your property’s value while minimizing its environmental impact. Ready to see what Right Plant, Right Place can do for your commercial landscape? Let’s talk.