Greenery is a great way to introduce vigour, colour and interest into your vet clinic design. But while there are lots of plants to choose from, it’s not just their beauty that you need to consider. There are several plants that are gorgeous, but poisonous to animals – especially young dogs that want to chew on everything! The following tips for adding greenery to your vet practice not only help create a more attractive space, they are also designed to protect your patients.
Choosing Animal-friendly Plants for the Interior
People value authenticity and health, and that’s especially true when it comes to a vet clinic. Plants remind us of health, vigour and natural beauty – the same qualities we want to see in our pets!
But not all indoor plants are suitable for a vet clinic design. For example, although hardy and great for low light interiors, peace lilies are deadly to cats.
Try cast iron plants, calatheas, Boston ferns or golden cane palms. These are pet-friendly and grow well in indirect, low light. To avoid impacts with energetic Labradors, choose heavy pots for floor plants and secure other pots to windowsills or shelves.
If you feel that real plants are going to need too much upkeep in a busy practice, there are very realistic artificial plants available, and they only need the occasional dusting to keep in shape!
Durable and Attractive Plants for the Exterior
Because dogs need to mark their territory, or answer calls of nature while waiting for an appointment, a vet clinic needs landscaping that stands up to frequent urination.
One hardy shrub is the evergreen Euonymus Japonica, or the Japanese Spindle Tree. This shrub has a hard leaf that’s resistant to urine. Other pee-tolerant plants include Mexican sage, New Zealand flax and sword ferns.
Create a hard border of rocks or wooden sleepers to separate the pathway from the garden. This makes it easier to keep overenthusiastic patients from jumping into your landscaping and squashing the greenery.
When mulching, don’t use cocoa bean shells. These are a by-product of chocolate manufacturing which can harm pets if eaten. Also avoid pesticides like snail pellets that could be accidentally eaten.
These tips are just a starting point for your vet clinic design or refurbishment. For advice on your project from a vet clinic fitout specialist, contact Elite.
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