Street planters are a wonderful way to bring nature to busy city streets and urban centres. There is a marked shortage of greenery in plenty of places, and it is often challenging to find a space to plant a new tree or a bush. Most of our cities' spaces are concreted, tarmacked and paved, and outside of designated parks, there is little that can be done.
Street planters are the solution to even most devoid of soil places. They can be put in the middle of a large square with no grass or ground in sight, adding a touch of nature to the concrete, glass and steel landscape around us. They work well and are easy to use, but you may be wondering what is the best way to approach acquiring, installing and managing them.
This is what we will explore in this blog.
Assess the Area
If you have decided you would like some planters put on your premises, this is a great idea – plants help bring temperatures down, provide shade, enrich the city's biodiversity and have a calming and relaxing effect on people.
Firstly, begin by finding out what the law is. Find out about any relevant local regulations that may stipulate how to use an outside space, especially if you would be encroaching on a sidewalk. Always make sure you check those before making an investment.
Once you are clear on what you can and can't do and where you can do it, begin by assessing the current condition of the area. Identify places that could benefit from the addition of greenery and tree planting. Look for opportunities to create focal points or add green elements to spaces that lack vegetation. This would be entirely individual and depend on your given area, but usually, entrances are one of the most popular locations for putting planters, and so are car parks, especially if they take visitors and not just employees.
Choose Suitable Planters
Once you've selected the place, choose some planters that complement the architectural style and character of the city or your specific building. Consider the street planter's size, shape, and material it is made of and how it can integrate harmoniously with the surrounding environment. If wood is appropriate, you can choose something like the Premium Timber Slat Planter. Or maybe you are looking for a cleaner, more modern look and a Steel Street Planter is better suited for your needs.
Here you should also think about the purpose. Yes, street planters' primary purpose is to accommodate flowers and plants, but they can do a lot more than that. Think if you have additional needs that can be combined with the need for a green space. For example, you may need extra security around your main entrance or want to protect parked cars from damage. This calls for a product like our Anti-Ram Street Planter. Additionally, you may want to go a step further and have a green area where people can also sit and relax for a moment, thus hanging a little longer around your premises and potentially turning into customers. In this case, you may want a bench and planter combination design.
Whatever you select, make sure it is made of high-quality materials and is definitely manufactured for outdoor use.
Select Appropriate Plant Species
Once you acquire your planter, you need to fill them with something. Choose plant species that are well-suited to the local climate and conditions. Opt for a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers to add diversity and visual interest to the landscape.
Consider using native plants to promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems. Plants which flower are always a good idea – they provide food for essential species like bees and butterflies, and they add some colour to our cities and are beautiful to look at.
Plan for Proper Plant Care
The thing about plants and green areas is that you need to remember that they need special and regular care. You can always get professional advice and deliberately get plants that require minimal care and are low-maintenance. However, even then, they will need watering, occasional fertilising and maybe pruning.
Just make sure you establish a maintenance plan to ensure that the plants in your street planters receive regular attention. This is needed to keep the greenery looking healthy and vibrant.
Take it a step further
Once you've set up your outdoor area with planters, you can always take it a step further. Integrate seating areas, and create little gathering spaces around the planters to encourage people to stay longer and enjoy the surroundings. Benches or seating walls can create opportunities for social interaction and relaxation. Adding lighting elements can further enhance the ambience during the evening and make the space usable even in the evenings. Well-placed lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere which is great, especially if your green area is street-side and visible at all times. Just remember to add bins to ensure your efforts are not in vain and your site is kept clean and tidy.
Incorporating street planters into urban landscapes offers an excellent opportunity to infuse nature into concrete-dominated environments. These planters, strategically placed, not only enhance aesthetics but also foster a sense of connection with the outdoors, providing spaces for relaxation and interaction. By selecting suitable planters, choosing native and flowering plants, and ensuring proper maintenance, business owners can create inviting areas that contribute to the community's overall well-being and showcase a commitment to greener, more vibrant cities.