Storm Shelters Landscaping

If you live in an area that's plagued by tornados and hurricanes, chances are that you have a storm shelter – and when it comes to storm shelters, landscaping can be a challenge. By getting creative with your landscaping, you can make your storm shelter an integral part of your garden plan, whether you've built an above-ground or underground structure.

In-ground storm shelters can be landscaped using a wide variety of materials, with most homeowners building planters from brick, concrete, railroad ties or other permanent materials. A storm shelter is a long-term investment, and it makes sense to beautify it as you would any other part of your yard and garden.

Natural rock walls can delineate the storm shelter while helping it to blend with the more natural elements of your landscaping. A below-ground structure can take on the look of a natural berm when planted with sod or low-lying bushes. Planters with evergreens or perennials are a low-maintenance idea for storm shelter landscaping, as are planters that can host a rotating display of seasonal flowers.

Above-ground storm shelters can benefit from landscaping as well, whether they're stand-alone structures or additions to an existing residence. Some homeowners build welcoming overhangs to give a cottage-like feel to their storm shelters, and pay as much attention to landscaping these structures as they do to the fronts of their homes. Flowering bushes like rhododendrons and hydrangeas bring color to an otherwise prosaic structure.

When landscaping an area near a storm shelter, one should take into consideration the possible effect that a large storm will have on the area. Large trees should not be planted too close to the entrance of a storm shelter – should they fall, they could block the entrance to the shelter, trapping the inhabitants inside. If large trees are already planted near the site of new storm shelters, landscaping professionals should be consulted about whether they should be removed.