Have you got a boring strip in front of your house in between the sidewalk and the street? These little plots of land usually are owned by the city, but you can convert this planting strip to add beauty and interest in your neighborhood — just check your city’s ordinances before you begin. There may be plant-height or other restrictions.
Since we don’t get much rain in San Diego, drought-tolerant plantings such as purple coneflower, blue fescue and yarrow always are good choices. Drought-tolerant plants also save you from dragging your hose over the sidewalk and out to the strip. Large flowering plants like ‘Tropicanna’ canna, with its hot-orange blooms over purple foliage that becomes striped with green, yellow, pink and red will add a wow factor, while still being fairly drought-tolerant.
If you don’t include stepping-stones for people getting out of their cars after parking curbside, creeping thyme is a good choice. It’s soft and, when stepped on, releases a lovely fragrance.
If you have unsightly utility poles, bougainvillea will cover them up beautifully but, again, check the rules in your part of town.
If you don’t want to spend time weeding, cover the area with plenty of mulch. Mulch offers a double bonus because it will also add moisture to your soil.
If one person transforms his or her curbside strip, a trend often is begun. Soon other gardeners may follow suit. Before you know it, your block will become the prettiest in the neighborhood.
