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Sidewalk planters. They’re pretty! They hold a wide array of greenery, making your communities look beautiful. But they do more than that – they also have a positive economic impact.
When you live in the city, you can sometimes miss out on the natural greenery of smaller towns and the countryside. That’s why many cities make conscious efforts to add greenery and flowers to the city, including by implementing sidewalk planters.
When it comes down to modern city planting, sidewalk planters are an excellent option when it comes to bringing plant life to an urban setting. They decorate the exterior of businesses, dot sidewalks, and adorn outdoor social spaces.
But what are the major benefits of sidewalk planters and why should your city adopt them during the spring and summertime? Classic Displays will explore this and more in this blog about sidewalk planters.
Sidewalk planters are pretty, sure, but they have a very practical purpose beyond being a nice decoration. Like all plants, they help to purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and creating new, clean oxygen, improving the air quality in the world around them. In major cities that are prone to gas emissions and other environmental challenges such as smog, the more plants you have, the better.
Not only that, but by having more greenery in the world around you, you're actually improving biodiversity in the local ecosystem.
While maintaining sidewalk planters isn't necessarily a "difficult job", somebody still has to do it. Plants need a good deal of attention, especially outdoor plants. They need to be watered, pruned, and replaced throughout the season, creating job opportunities for landscapers, horticulturists, and city maintenance workers!
In cities with higher unemployment rates, the demand for these services can offer some much-needed jobs for people in need.
Not to mention that there are businesses that sell plants, sidewalk planters, and the necessary landscaping materials that can also benefit from an increase in demand for sidewalk greenery. Classic Displays is one of the leading providers of city-wide furniture and accessories, including sidewalk planters. Other local flower shops and garden centres can provide the rest.
You can also rely on local nurseries, and trust us, that uptick in sales as municipalities embrace sidewalk planters. This can create a ripple effect and can have a positive impact on the local economy, where multiple sectors, including agriculture, retail, and landscaping can reap the benefits of green infrastructure.
Beyond aesthetic and economic benefits, sidewalk planters also have many environmental advantages that just so happen to improve economic growth. Urban areas often experience a phenomenon called the "urban heat island" effect, where high temperatures are more prevalent than they are in rural areas due to the presence of concrete, asphalt, and other heat-retaining materials that are abundant in the city.
This can increase energy costs as buildings have to use more air conditioning to keep things cool during the hotter months.
Adding sidewalk planters to urban areas can help mitigate some of that heat island effect. The plants inside of the sidewalk planters absorb sunlight and help cool the surrounding air through a process called evapotranspiration.
This cooling effect can help reduce reliance on air conditioning in nearby businesses, lowering energy costs overall.
Urban greenery has a proven impact on property values. Studies have proven that properties located near beautiful parks, trees, and green spaces tend to have higher market values than those in areas with little to no greenery. While sidewalk planters aren't on the same scale as the park, they still contribute to this effect by bringing plant life and greenery into urban spaces.
When it comes to homeowners, this means properties located near sidewalk planters might see a spike in resale value. For developers, it means investing in green infrastructure is worthwhile, as it can increase the price of the property for potential buyers or tenants.
While cities are going to continue to urbanize, there's more incentive than ever to incorporate green features into real estate development. People are willing to pay more to live in green, walkable spaces!
A prettier streetscape isn't just for the tourists; it's also for the benefit of local businesses. Research shows that when an area is more visually appealing, it inspires people to explore more, which means they're more likely to wander into a local business and make a purchase.
Sidewalk planters are perfect for attributing to this effect by creating more welcoming and pleasant streets that are fun to walk through. Retailers and restaurant owners have reported in the past that businesses located in pedestrian-friendly urban spaces see an uptick in foot traffic, which translates directly to more sales.
Well-designed streetscapes that incorporate more plants and greenery create an environment that is pleasant and gives the sensation that the city cares. The more attractive an area is, the more likely people will wander from shop to shop, and maybe even into a cafe or restaurant, finding a gem they didn't know was there.
Then, bam! Purchases are made, your customer gets something they love, and the local businesses make a profit. More money is invested into green spaces, and the cycle continues with mutual benefit.
See Classic Display's sidewalk planter options as well as other outdoor site furniture.
Tourists love a picturesque space perfect for snapping pics and sharing stories. Tourism, at its core, is also a major driver of economic well-being for many urban cities, and sidewalk planters can play a crucial role in attracting tourists.
A well-decorated, maintained, green urban environment can communicate to tourists that the surrounding businesses are top-notch because the local space around them is so eye-catching. Tourists enjoy cities with lush, vibrant public spaces that are easy to navigate, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.
Sidewalk planters can be a key part of creating these spaces, offering lush leaves and bustling blooms, increasing the time tourists spend in an area - and the amount of money they spend when they wander into a store.
Look at cities like Paris and New York – they embrace sidewalk planters as a part of their beautification initiatives, creating inviting spaces for tourists and locals alike. This not only improves the urban area's aesthetic, but it also encourages longer visits and repeated tourism. Investing in greener spaces can help bolster economic growth.
Imagine you bought your dream home. You wouldn’t just plop a few pieces of random furniture in it and call it a day, would you? Of course not. You’d DECORATE! You’d make it your own, make it feel welcoming and beautiful. Urban spaces are no different.
Urban spaces are a part of the community. And everyone who explores your community, whether they’re just visiting or if they’re local, wants to have a positive experience in outdoor spaces.
The most obvious and perhaps immediate benefit of sidewalk planters is their ability to effortlessly enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban areas. Cities are usually known for being "concrete jungles" consisting of little more than concrete, asphalt, and towering buildings.
This can make the environment feel cold and unwelcoming. Sidewalk planters, on the other hand, can create a sense of greenery and warmth in urban landscapes, softening the otherwise rough aesthetic and creating a more welcoming atmosphere.
There are plenty of benefits to be had by creating more lush, green urban spaces. Studies show locals and tourists alike.
The more visually pleasing a space is, the more likely people are to explore and spend time there, which for some, can mean enjoying a coffee at a local bistro, shopping at local stores, or even attending local events nearby. This increased foot traffic can lead to more consumer spending, which is a bonus for local businesses.
With more than 46 years of experience, Classic Displays went from offering Christmas holiday displays to creating literal winter wonderlands and offering various practical and beautifying site furniture options for more than 350+ municipalities. We've expanded our product range over all three of our divisions each year, taking in the demand of local communities and fulfilling their needs.
Classic Displays continues to design and manufacture quality products, from sidewalk planters to memorial benches, and more. We have products that our customers can depend on, as we refuse to sacrifice quality. You can feel at ease knowing our products are manufactured to last.
If you’re looking to beautify your city’s urban streetscape this year, go no further than Classic Displays. We have what you need to make your outdoor urban areas something to remember. Contact us today.
When it comes to enhancing your public space with greenery, the Urban Vase 41” Self-Watering Planter is an excellent choice. Designed for dwarf trees, this planter allows for easy maintenance while adding a touch of nature to your public space. It's recommended to choose trees that will not exceed 8 feet in height. Here are some top tree species to consider for your Vase 41”.
Add a splash of emerald green to your streets year-round with Sprinter Boxwoods! This evergreen tree complements containers and planters of any colour, especially the Blackstone colour option of the Urban Vase.
Deriving from the hardy Winter Gem Boxwood, the improved Sprinter Boxwood species will retain their beautiful glossy green leaves all year round with little maintenance. This species of trees are also great for the harsh Canadian Winters as they are salt-resistant!
Sprinter Boxwoods are also considered one of the fastest growing among other boxwood trees. Sprinter Boxwood trees grow up to 2-4’ tall and wide in just a few years and quickly recover from tree pruning, making it easy to beautify public areas swiftly. To beautify your urban landscapes, consider flanking entrance ways with Sprinter Boxwoods paired with Urban Vases for stunning scenery!
If you’re looking for low maintenance, all year round greenery for your 41” Urban Vase planter, the Sprinter Boxwood is an ideal tree!
Looking for a similar tough and low maintenance tree like the Sprinter Boxwood, but want more colour? The Wedding Ring Boxwood provides glossy green foliage that turns yellow/lime green on its edges in the summer months. Use this tree as an accent plant in any landscape!
Much like the Sprinter Boxwood, Wedding Ring Boxwoods retain their colour well throughout summer and winter. These dwarf trees are just as tough and winter hardy as their Sprinter counterpart and are easy to maintain. Pruning? Not a problem. The Wedding Ring Boxwood doesn’t need to be trimmed unless there are dead or sick branches.
Notably suited for growing in planters/containers, this compact option stays around 3’ tall and wide, meaning Wedding Ring Boxwoods aren’t only great for lining the streets of your public space, but they are also perfect for greenifying smaller spaces like courtyards and patios!
Spanning about 3’ tall and 4’ wide at full maturity, the Piccolo Dwarf Balsam Fir is another tree well suited for container planting. Though growing at a slower rate compared to Boxwoods, these firs have a life expectancy of 50 years when living in ideal conditions!
This fir has a gorgeous dark green appearance with short branches and vertical needles. In the fall and winter months, the tips of the branches grow brown buds that further enhance this tree’s appearance. Its green needles retain their dark green colour even in the winter months. When paired with the Millstone or Blackstone Urban Vase planter, the Piccolo Dwarf Balsam will surely stand out in an urban landscape.
The Piccolo Dwarf grows in a rounded, globe-like form, and fills out completely down to its base. No additional facer plants are required to cover the sight of bare branches when using this tree in a planter! This fir also does not need to be pruned frequently, unless necessary (to prevent dieback).
Known for its vibrant yellow leaves, the Sunshine Ligustrum adds a pop of color to any setting or container. This evergreen shrub grows to 3-6’ tall at full maturity and stays well within planter height limits.
The Sunshine Ligustrum is a perfect choice for streetscapes as it is virtually maintenance free! Pest and disease resistant, there’s no need to worry about shrub’s health in the summer months. It is also drought, heat, and pollution tolerant, making it a perfect plant to beautify urban areas. This evergreen shrub is also able to handle the Canadian winter months as it can survive in temperatures between -17°C to -23°C. The Sunshine Ligustrum also does not bloom, meaning that it is allergen free - a great plant for anyone to enjoy on your streetscapes.
Thanks to its hardiness, pedestrians will be able to enjoy the Sunshine Ligustrum’s colourful foliage all year round. Though this shrub is known for its signature lemon yellow leaves, the “Sunshine” begins its growth as a light green shrub which develops into a deep yellow as it matures. Colder weather also adds a unique tinge of orange to its yellow leaves.
Use the Sunshine Ligustrum in planters along a walkway, on a patio, or deck to beautify the various areas of your public space and create a warm welcome. To create visually striking arrangements in your Urban Vase 41’, pair the “Sunshine” with other greens, purples, and blues!
With fragrant white and pink flowers, and red berries, the Japanese Skimmia is a beautiful option to dress up your Urban Vase planters. This shrub grows up to 3-4’ tall, and 4-5’ wide.
Depending on the look you are trying to achieve, either a male or female plant must be selected. If large flowers are important, select the male cultivar (male flowers grow up to 8cm long). If berries are desired, you will need to plant one male shrub for every six female shrubs. The female shrubs grow smaller flowers and tiny red fruits that coat its branches. The Japanese Skimmia also grows glossy, dark green leaves which provide a nice contrast with its blossoms and fruits. Though its flowers only survive in the warmer months, the Japanese Skimmia’s leaves maintain its rich green colour all year long, and its red berries persist throughout the fall and winter.
This shrub can be grown in a wide variety of locations, however the Japanese Skimmia can be best enjoyed when placed in planters near entrances, walkways, patios, and city gardens. The sweet smelling flowers make it a treat for passersby, while the berries strongly attract songbirds, creating a lively environment on your street.
Pruning is rarely required for the Japanese Skimmia, however feel free to snip a few berry-covered branches in the winter time and place them indoors for holiday decorations!
Emerald Green Trees are one of the few evergreens that thrive in planters! These trees grow up to 6-8’ tall and 18’ wide when fully developed.
The Emerald Green, as its name implies, sports a deep green all year long. This tree grows into a narrow, pyramidal shape, similar to a Christmas tree, and its flowing and twisting foliage is unique to its species. The Emerald’s leaves are also glossy and rich in texture, making it a stunning tree of choice for your Urban Vase planter.
In addition to its evergreen beauty, the Emerald Green is a highly adaptable tree. This tree is low maintenance which is an ideal factor when deciding on a plant for your streetscape containers. The Emerald is disease resistant, easy to grow, and can survive in a variety of soil and weather conditions - even during Canadian winters. It will remain emerald green throughout the year and requires light pruning annually to avoid browning of the leaves. Drought periods are also no problem for this evergreen.
Though commonly used as privacy screens or hedges in residential yards, this tree is still a great option to complement your Urban Vase planters. Accentuate your streets by lining your sidewalks and paths with this attractive evergreen and planter combo. Or, flank store entrances and large windows with this tree. Its lush green foliage and slim form are perfect for creating focal points that grab the attention of pedestrians.
Moving onto conifers, the Juniperus Squamata is a dwarf evergreen known for its distinctive silver-blue foliage.
The ‘Blue Star’ is an excellent choice for planters on public streetscapes due to its robust and versatile nature. This evergreen shrub thrives in various environmental conditions, displaying high tolerance to urban pollution, drought, and temperature fluctuations. Its dense, spreading foliage provides year-round greenery, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of urban areas.
Additionally, its low maintenance requirements and resistance to pests make it a practical option for city planners. The Juniperus Squamata's compact size and slow growth rate ensure it fits well in confined spaces, making it ideal for adding texture and visual interest to streetscapes without requiring frequent pruning or care.
While all the trees mentioned above are well-suited for the Urban Vase 41", it's important to provide a bit of extra care to keep them healthy year-round. Regular watering, draining, fertilizing, and occasional pruning will ensure your trees thrive and continue to enhance your space.
With the right tree species and a little bit of care, your Urban Vase 41” Self-Watering Planter will become a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to your BIA, Municipality, and other public spaces. Enjoy the greenery!
Browse our full collection of planters here!
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