Landscape Ideas for a School's Parking Lot

Flowers

• Flowers are an easy solution to a blank space lingering in the middle of a parking lot -- there's no real way to mess up a landscaping plan by filling the space with flowers, just make sure to choose types that grow in similar ways. Plant them in collections of small bushes you can trim to the same level. To lessen the bleak environment and bring some life to the parking lot, choose a variety of flowers in different colors. Stay away from those that require a lot of maintenance. Pick ones that are easily cared for with basic watering schedules and ample sunshine, as the flowers are likely to get a lot of direct sunlight in a parking lot. Plant annual flowers (preferably those that are indigenous to your area) like petunias, rose moss and marigold. Annuals can withstand dry or wet conditions, direct sunlight and are low maintenance-- a practical choice for a school parking lot.

Walkability

• To prevent damage to the soil around the vegetation in your landscape plan, add mulch to the plan. It's difficult to keep kids out of plant beds and their constant walking through may dig up the soil and disturb the growth of your plants. If the planting area in the parking lot is frequently used as a walkway, consider adding a path or two, depending on its size. Plan where the walkway will go before planting anything. Creating the walkway is as easy as laying down circular or square stones in a line on top of the mulch. Add some pathway lighting along the walkway if it is particularly long or if the area is not well-lit by some other light source.

Shading

• When planting trees, choose those that have narrow trunks but will also grow tall enough and produce leaves that can offer ample shade. This is especially important for cars parked near or driving directly next to the landscaped area. The trees offer shading from the sun, protect the paint jobs, reduce the internal heat of the cars and add better visibility for drivers while navigating the parking lot. A good rule of thumb is to choose trees that will, over the next 15 years or so, yield shade that covers half of the parking stalls and driving areas next to the landscaped area. Avoid trees that drop berries or make a mess throughout the seasons.

Safety

• Teachers and students may leave campus after-hours. To ensure their safety, keep in mind that people walking to their cars should have clear visibility of the entire parking lot. This will ensure they're aware of who's around them and if any danger is present or approaching. Also, security personnel can keep a better eye on the entire parking lot if vegetation is low-lying and trees with narrow trunks are planted on the grounds. In addition, ample lighting should be provided in all areas of the parking lot. Consider adding path lighting along the edges of plant beds for additional visibility.