Our city recently put sidewalks through our 165 feet of road frontage. My DH told me I can plant whatever I want along here. Totally shocked me, never thought he'd let me plant any more gardens! I'm more than excited but don't even know where to begin. I've picked up some perennials on clearance to start and have plants around the yard that I would like to thin out and move here.

Looking for suggestions on how wide I should go, shape of garden(s) etc. Would enjoy seeing your photos of sidewalk gardens, suggestions for mine. Thanks in advance!







UGLY UGLY UGLY (next two pics-we have 1 concrete & 3 of these blue drainage pipes in our front yard now)

Here are some various incarnations. Many of the plants will not work in your zone, but might give some ideas?

Lovely! I won't be planting along the roadside area of the sidewalk, salt would probably kill the plants since we don't have curbs. You've given me some ideas though! I also want to leave space for annuals, never thought about herbs, I like that idea!

Thanks

Have two varieties Lavender, five of Thyme, two of Rosemary, three of oregano. Lots of possibilities. Really like Golden Oregano as a groundcover.




EDITED to say: DB shows it is hardy to zone 4

Sandy, I would suggest that whatever you plant there, try to use mostly exeric (drought Tolerant) plants. Unless you like dragging the garden hose out there. Russian Sage as mentioned by Debra is a good one. You could set aside a couple large spots for ditch lilies to cut down on expense. As mentioned by Gerry, some grasses, Black Eyed Susan and Echinaceas. Ground covers, Agastaches, Solidago, Coreopsis, Liatris...white and pink. While Castor Bean plant make like it moist, you could throw a few out there to make a statement. I will be harvesting some CB seeds this fall if you are interested. Gallardias, Oriental poppies, perennial mums, Asters, White Clips Campanula, Penstemon Mystica, Yarrow and Monarda to name a few. I have many that I mentioned here to share if you are interested. Go as wide as you want to go. Keep them away from the side walk. I hope your taxes don't go up because of the new side walk. If you use bigger plants and shrubs it would be a lot easier. Good luck and keep us posted!
Castor Bean

Thanks for your input Mike! I have most of what you named that I can divide, if I need more I'll be sure to get in touch with you, much appreciated.

I love the castor beans too, I've grown them and have quite a few seeds left, thank you for the offer. My concern would be the poisonous beans they produce. Never know who would venture into the back of the flower border to pick some of the pods.

Do you have a problem with the Black Eyed Susans going rampant? I pulled mine out several years ago because they took over one of my perennial beds.

Thanks Again!

Susan, I only have a couple plants. A friend of mine have them in his back yard. Every year he gives away a lot to friends and family.

How exciting to have a new blank canvas to work with! I'm jealous, even though I know how much work it may be for you.

I like Mike's idea that when you plant next to the "easement" areas out front of a yard, use whatever drought-tolerant plants you can to save from having to tend to it much. Also, since the sidewalks are public access, try to keep any plants with a lot of overhang back from the cement (many of the taller grasses and spreading flowers will grow out and over quite a bit) as they can become a safety hazard. The last thing I want, for example, is for DH's favorite tall ornamental grass to fall onto and cover part of the sidewalk and make walking or bicycling across it a hazard - so I have to trim it back more often than I'd like. It has become much easier to have short, compact ground covers like mondo grass, blue fescue, or sea thrift (blooms all summer here) as a "buffer" between the edge of the sidewalk and any other plants that are arranged a foot or two back... just some additional thoughts.

When I read about the drains , the though occurred to me to leave access for maintenance.
If the drain area is maintained by your municipality I would think some sort of DayLily with long leaves.DL's can also take a lot of rough handling.Workers dont care where they walk.
This is a nice front yard garden.
Not mine but I look here often.
The thread "Susan's Garden" in Garden Photos forum

Jo Ann, Susan's gardens are outstanding and I have taken several ideas from them.

Jo Ann, thanks for posting that link. Nice!

Hope she didnt mind.I thought of her gardens before I knew what I was doing.

Jo Ann, knowing what I know about Susan she wont mind.

Thanks for posting the link Jo Ann. Here is a link to part two. The thread "Susan's Garden Part Two 2012-2013" in Garden Photos forum

Sandy I can't wait to see what you end up with. 165 ft is a lot of area to plant. My area is only 35'. Looks like you are getting lots of good ideas. Daylilies, Iris, lilies and mums are some of my favorites. You might want to think about using some short sedums along the edge where your bed touches the sidewalk. I have a number I'd be glad to share with you in the spring. They are great for keeping the soil from washing out onto the sidewalk when you water. A raised brick type edge might be good along the edge too for the same reason. With all that space, I like the idea of ornamental grasses and some of the smaller butterfly bushes. The Buzz ones I got from Santa Rosa Gardens are doing very well for me. Spring bulbs that could later be replaced with annuals would be something you could change from year to year. With that nice long area, you should be able to repeat groupings to pull tings together. Untill you have enough plants to cover it all, you might want to fill in with some easy to grow from seed annuals like zinnias cosmos, ect. I'll be watching to see it grow and change over the years.

Me, too.

Well...I'm still not done planting and I haven't had time to mulch, but the sidewalk garden really filled in (with the help of a few annuals) since I planted it in late fall last year! Thanks for everyone's suggestions

Hubby had me shorten the length of the planting area , but I'm still happy with it.

It is beautiful, Sandi. I especially like the diversity.

What a special treat for people walking by.

Beautiful results! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Seedsower said:Well...I'm still not done planting and I haven't had time to mulch, but the sidewalk garden really filled in (with the help of a few annuals) since I planted it in late fall last year! Thanks for everyone's suggestions

Hubby had me shorten the length of the planting area , but I'm still happy with it.

Very well done. I see you planted nasturtiums. I like them but haven't planted any lately. Thanks for the reminder.