Garth Ruffner Landscape Architect
Planters are not just for plants. Most above-ground utilities must be located in planters and there are bound to be conflicts to resolve.
The tips of elongated planter islands are preferred locations for utilities and trees. While some fire equipment must have these prime loca-tions, other utilities can be pulled back to allow tree planting at the planter ends.
The layout at left avoided the creation of another planter (by eliminating a parking stall) to meet shading requirements.
Clustering multiple utilities in one large planter allows adequate clearances and appropriate landscape screening.
Narrow planters (less than 4’) are generally not appropriate for significant utilities and planting. If a larger planter is unavailable, it may be better to pave it over.