Shrubs + Perrenial Plants

GENERAL INFORMATION & REQUIRED DETAILS:

  • Use drought resistant, shade tolerant and low maintenance plants.

  • Use native species, do not use invasive species. See website for list of invasive species in your area.

  • If installing new plantings, obtain a minimum one-year warranty from the nursery or provider to replace or maintain if something happens to the plants.

  • Where possible, use perennials, not annuals. Annuals require more rigorous maintenance and should only be used in discrete locations.

    • Perennials are plants that bloom for a short time each year and do not need to be replanted every year. While most perennials last many years, it is also typical for them to be replaced every three to five years if they stop performing well. Use manufacturer or landscaper recommendations for perennials.

    • Annuals are plants that bloom for a longer season and need to be replanted every spring. These require more maintenance. Be selective about areas to plant them, such as in front of the management or leasing office.

  • Consider groundcover as a low maintenance option in lieu of shrubs and flowering plants. Groundcover is defined as low-lying, creeping or spreading perennials which cover large ground sections.

  • Groundcover is suggested for areas such as planting beds, low or no traffic areas, near service areas, inside parking islands, shady areas, and steep slopes where grass will not grow well.

  • Groundcover should be kept 18 inches from building edge.

  • Spacing between groundcover plants will vary based on species but in general 12 - 24 inches apart will be sufficient. The objective is for neighboring plants to overlap enough to keep the ground shaded and discourage weed growth.

    • Consider the plant’s maximum width at maturity to determine the spacing.

    • Allow extra spacing for fast growing species, less spacing for slower species.

    • Be sure to use regionally appropriate species, as some are invasive or aggressive in certain areas and native in others.

  • Groundcover should be properly maintained so as to not become overly dense or protrude onto walkways, paths of travel, or parts of the building and other structures on site.