From Overgrown to Inviting: Commercial Landscape Renovation in Janesville, WI

First impressions matter, especially for commercial properties. Before customers ever walk through the door, they notice the condition of the parking lot, signage, lawn, and surrounding landscape. An overgrown or neglected planting bed can make an otherwise well-maintained business look unfinished.



Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care recently completed a commercial landscape renovation around the Kohl’s and Sephora sign in Janesville, Wisconsin. The project transformed an overgrown, uneven planting area into a clean and attractive landscape bed with fresh mulch, defined edging, and colorful new plants.

The Condition Before the Landscape Renovation

Before work began, the area surrounding the sign had become heavily overgrown. Volunteer growth, weeds, and unmanaged vegetation were covering much of the planting bed and partially competing with the visibility of the sign.

The bed also lacked a defined border and consistent ground cover. Sparse vegetation, exposed soil, and scattered plant material created an uneven appearance that did not reflect the professional image expected from a major commercial property.

Left unaddressed, this type of overgrowth can continue spreading, make routine maintenance more difficult, and reduce visibility around important business signage.

Clearing the Existing Landscape Bed

The first step was removing the unwanted vegetation and clearing the area around the sign. This created a clean foundation for the new landscape design and made it possible to evaluate the shape and condition of the planting bed.

Removing established weeds and invasive growth is critical during a landscape renovation. Simply covering an overgrown bed with new mulch does not solve the underlying problem. Proper preparation helps reduce future weed pressure and gives new plants room to establish themselves.

The cleanup also opened the view around the sign, immediately making the entrance area feel more organized and accessible.

Creating a Defined Landscape Border

Once the bed was cleared, a curved landscape border was installed around the perimeter. The edging gives the planting area a finished shape while creating a clear separation between the mulch bed and surrounding lawn.

Defined edging provides several practical benefits for commercial properties:

• It helps keep mulch inside the planting bed.
• It reduces grass growth into landscaped areas.
• It makes mowing and trimming more efficient.
• It gives the property a cleaner, professionally maintained appearance.

The curved shape also softens the large rectangular sign and helps the landscape flow naturally with the surrounding property.

Installing Fresh Mulch

A fresh layer of dark mulch was installed throughout the bed, creating a strong contrast against the black sign and colorful plantings.

Mulch does more than improve appearance. It also helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and limit weed growth around new plants. These benefits are especially important during a Wisconsin summer, when newly installed landscaping can face periods of heat and limited rainfall.

The dark mulch gives the bed a consistent surface and makes the entire sign area look cleaner and more intentional.

Adding Color and Seasonal Interest

The renovated landscape includes a selection of flowering plants, ornamental grasses, and low-growing greenery arranged throughout the bed.

Rather than overcrowding the area, the plants were spaced to allow for future growth. This gives each plant room to mature while keeping the sign visible from multiple directions.

Pink, yellow, and white flowers add noticeable color without distracting from the business signage. Taller ornamental grasses provide height and texture near the back of the bed, while smaller plants create interest closer to the edge.

As the plants mature, the bed will continue filling in and developing a fuller appearance.

Improving Visibility Around the Business Sign

One of the most important goals of this project was improving the visibility and presentation of the Kohl’s and Sephora sign.

The original vegetation was beginning to crowd the sign and made the area appear neglected. After the renovation, the sign is surrounded by a low, organized planting design that complements it rather than competing with it.

For commercial properties, landscaping around signage should remain attractive without blocking names, logos, addresses, or directional information. Proper plant selection and placement help maintain visibility as the landscape grows.

Why Commercial Landscaping Matters

Commercial landscaping affects how customers perceive a business before they enter the property. Clean beds, healthy plants, and maintained outdoor areas communicate that the property is actively managed and cared for.

Professional landscaping can also help:

• Improve curb appeal
• Create a more welcoming entrance
• Increase sign visibility
• Reduce long-term maintenance problems
• Protect the value of the property
• Create a consistent appearance across the site

Even a focused project around one sign or entrance can make a noticeable difference in the overall presentation of a commercial location.

Planning for Long-Term Maintenance

A successful landscape renovation does not end when the plants and mulch are installed. Continued maintenance will help keep the bed looking clean as the plants establish and mature.

Routine care may include weed removal, pruning, mulch replenishment, plant replacement, and edging maintenance. Ornamental grasses and flowering plants may also require seasonal trimming to encourage healthy growth and maintain visibility around the sign.

Addressing these needs regularly is easier and more cost-effective than allowing the area to become overgrown again.

Commercial Landscaping in Janesville, WI

This before-and-after project shows how professional landscape renovation can completely change the appearance of a commercial property. What was once an overgrown and uneven planting area is now a clean, defined landscape bed that improves curb appeal and better showcases the business sign.

Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care provides commercial landscaping and property maintenance services throughout Janesville and the surrounding southern Wisconsin area. Whether a property needs a complete landscape renovation, fresh mulch, new plantings, improved edging, or ongoing maintenance, our team can create a practical solution that fits the site.