Submitted by Cathy Johnson, Dandelion Gardens
Thurston County businesses are embracing containers. I just love seeing all of the bold, colorful containers on display at various restaurants, business parks, and retail stores in the area. While some commercial containers were visible as long as ten years ago, the local container garden trend really took off about five years ago.
Containers are great in business locations because they create an inviting environment, break up the industrial look of concrete and asphalt, provide personality to a large area, and draw your attention to the shop.
Containers in exposed commercial areas can be a challenge because they are typically located in full sun and high traffic conditions. Container plants are stressed by vehicle fumes (not to mention being knocked around by a vehicle or two), concrete and asphalt radiate heat which raises the temperature for the plants by at least 5 or 10 degrees, and the plants are more exposed to the elements than in a typical planting bed environment.
The containers needed for these visually large spaces are expensive. It’s a significant investment to purchase a large container, buy the soil and plants to fill it, and then maintain the container throughout the year. Continual maintenance is a large undertaking. A poorly maintained container with dead plants, sparsely planted plants, or overgrown/neglected plants creates a very negative impression.
Some businesses are really taking the extra step to create a positive impression and inviting atmosphere with their containers. While these businesses may not have perfect containers every day of the year, they sure are making an effort to create an attractive and positive experience.
Here are some examples of my favorite containers around Olympia.
Capital Mall – The containers scattered around the mall are appropriately sized (think large!) and have mature/large plants in them which integrate well with the containers. The various textures and shapes of the containers are also a plus, especially when combined with the interesting plant textures.
Pellegrino’s – The Italian restaurant on Cleveland Avenue has beautiful hanging baskets in the summer and colorful fall baskets (not live plants but they are still “drive by” attractive). The seasonal displays for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. are definitely an asset for the neighborhood.
Artistry in Flowers – The topiary lady may not technically be a pot, but she is a great container. Anyone who drives by the store located on the corner of North Street and Cleveland is in for a treat because the lady’s dress and décor change with the seasons and holidays. She is a show stopper and always brings a smile to the face.
Meconi’s – This local sub shop has been building new locations and remodeling existing ones over the last couple of years. Along with the building projects, Meconi’s has been adding colorful containers, and they are definitely great additions to the restaurants. The containers guide hungry patrons to entrances and give some relief from the typical, colorless concrete look.
The Landing at Hawks Prairie – This new business park in Lacey has extra large concrete containers on the sidewalks and tucked up against the buildings. The containers’ scale is just perfect for the complex and the evergreen magnolia trees are great anchor plants. The complex doesn’t have much green space, so the containers provide color and interest and also differentiate it from other business complexes.
St. Michael’s School – The three containers placed in front of the school’s pillars create a welcome environment and “break up” the large, sterile, concrete entry. The containers are sturdy and heavy and are subtly anchored in place to prevent them from being a tipping hazard to the hundreds of children who walk by them on a daily basis. The containers’ color repeats the brick tone used in the school and the adjacent parish office building. The plants break up the pillars’ strong vertical lines.
Applebee’s – The restaurant on Sleater-Kinney has very colorful and welcoming containers at its front door.
Farrelli’s Pizza – Located at the intersection of Yelm and College, the Lacey pizza joint has a large planting box along the side of the restaurant. The box is planted with colorful annuals and really says “We’re glad you’re here” from the moment you drive into the parking lot. As with all window boxes, the planter requires more watering and maintenance since the shallow planting bed dries out more quickly than a large container.
So often it’s the little things that create an inviting atmosphere and welcome patrons. We are lucky to live in Thurston County, where so many businesses make the effort to be a positive impact in the community. The colorful containers area businesses have put a smile on our faces.
Join me on October 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for my Fabulous Fall Sale. All containers and garden art will be on sale at my Dandy Gift Boutique located at 5415 Peninsula Drive SE in Olympia. This is a great time to stock up on items for your garden and to buy early Christmas presents! Free “Tricks of the Trade” seminar at 10 a.m. and “Vertical Gardening” workshop provided at 11 a.m.
