Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

6 Considerations for Selecting the Right Self-Watering Containers for Your Property

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Cost Not the Best Deciding Factor

Planners, property managers and landscapers need to consider a wide range factors in selecting the right planters for their commercial and public spaces.

Cost and budget restrictions often loom big in such decisions, but other considerations also deserve a seat at the table. These factors generally fall within two categories:

• The intended location• The intended purpose

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

6 Important Considerations

Location• Sunny or shady?• Corner nook or large open space?• Surrounding colors or materials to coordinate with?

Purpose• Accent or focal point?• Decorative or goal-oriented?• Flowers, trees or shrubs?

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Sunny vs. Shady

Self-watering containers are available in a variety of materials, but clay and wood planters are porous and lose water in sunny locations.

Containers made of less permeable material, like plastic resin, are a much better choice for sunny spots. Durable plastic pots also are less likely to suffer from UV degradation over time.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Corner Nook vs. Wide, Open Space

The dimensions and size of the containers should match the amount of area to be filled.

Aesthetics play a key role here: a wide-open space can accommodate one large container or an attractive arrangement of several smaller, differently sized planters.

Either option can work well, depending on the desired effect.

Regardless, one small pot will simply disappear in a big, open plaza or patio.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Existing Aesthetics vs. Blank Palette

The colors and materials already in use at the intended location also help dictate the shape, color and material of the containers to be placed in that area.

Self-watering pots with a classic sloped shape complement more traditional settings, while flat-backed containers work well when placement close to walls or fences is required.

Plastic commercial planters offer a special advantage in that they’re available in a whole range of colors and textures, suitable for any setting.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Accent vs. Focal Point

The purpose of your commercial planters also directly impacts the type of self-watering container that should be used. Pieces meant to be focal points can benefit from a larger size or special configuration. Smaller containers, however, can be a great choice when an accent or an extra spot of color is required.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Decorative vs. Goal-Oriented

Large self-watering planters also are good choices for containers that will serve practical purposes in public spaces – such as acting as screens, delineating specific areas or directing foot traffic.

Small containers, while great for adding a splash of interest, just don’t have the visual presence to carry off such tasks.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Flowers vs. Shrubs and Trees

The type of plants intended for your self-watering planters also helps to determine what type of containers should be selected.

Single-species plantings of annuals, like begonias, fuchsia or petunias, can work well in a smaller pot, but a larger planter is required for shrubs and trees.

Going big in such instances is always a good choice – larger containers provide room to grow and are less likely to require their contents to be transplanted.

Door Product Training 2013 DEALER EDITION

Ready to Learn More?

Click here to see our full line of self-watering containers.

Are you a governmental entity or large commercial operation? Click here to inquire about bulk purchases, as well as reduced shipping rates and other possible discounts.

You can also contact us via:• Phone at 1-800-563-3352 (toll-free in the U.S.) or 1-800-665-7487 (toll-free in Canada)• Fax at (204) 694-7133, or• E-mail at info@eqnx.biz