Native plantings to replace grass strip - Ask Extension
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What native, low growing plants due you suggest when considering replacing the grass strip between the sidewalk and street. Preferably ...
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Native plantings to replace grass strip #872153
Asked June 08, 2024, 8:32 AM EDT
Good Morning
What native, low growing plants due you suggest when considering replacing the grass strip between the sidewalk and street. Preferably pollinator friendly, low maintenance, and fits within City of Newark requirements. I believe they require 12 inches or less. A bonus if some on list were "evergreenish".
New Castle County Delaware
Expert Response
I am located in Sussex County and not at all familiar with the City of Newark's requirements, but based on your assumption of 12", I can provide you with some native plants that fit in this rather strict criteria.
Is this area in full sun or under the canopy of street trees? Unfortunately, there are fewer native groundcovers 12" or less for full sun than part shade.
I am assuming that this is what is known as the hellstrip and will be subject to lack of water, occasional street & sidewalk salt in the winter and possibly snow piled on it by a snowplow. Please let me know about the sun and I will pull together a list for you.
Is this area in full sun or under the canopy of street trees? Unfortunately, there are fewer native groundcovers 12" or less for full sun than part shade.
I am assuming that this is what is known as the hellstrip and will be subject to lack of water, occasional street & sidewalk salt in the winter and possibly snow piled on it by a snowplow. Please let me know about the sun and I will pull together a list for you.
Thank you so much. Lol! I call it the doggy doodoo strip.
It is full sun and about 4 feet wide. And, the description you provided matches.
Looking forward to your list.
Wishing you a beautiful rest of your day.
Sorry, this took so long - it was a tough assignment.
First, do a soil test and figure out what you have on this strip.
Then before planting anything, amend the soil with lots of organic matter to break up your clay and make it better draining. I say this because if snow from the street sits on these plants in the winter and the soil is not well draining, almost all plants will get root rot.
Read this book, you can borrow it from the Delaware library system. The strips she designs are bigger than most of my gardens, but the information on maintaining a 'Hellstrip' is invaluable.
Hellstrip gardening : create a paradise between the sidewalk and the curb by Hadden, Evelyn J.
I have attached a list of plants that fit the criteria. Most are natives, some are not; but all are excellent plants to help fill in a planting of this kind. Some might push the edge of the 12" height with flowers that can be cut off after blooming; then the plants are well within the height restriction.
I have HOA restrictions where I live so I could only landscape my mailbox area. A photo is attached. I have used Nepeta" Walker's Low', (covered today in bees), Yarrow 'Paprika', Sedum 'Aureum', and an Annual Dusty Miller which tends to return every year here. I seldom water and it has filled in so weeding is minimal, I spend more time deadheading to prevent flop and keep it tidy and reblooming. Sorry I don't have a winter photo. I cut the yarrow and nepeta back and it stayed green all this past winter; the sedum stayed yellow and just needed tidying up in the spring. I now have some Salvia lyrata coming up, that I cut off the flowers of after blooming, and the reddish leaves look nice amongst the sedum.
Good luck with this project, send a photo when you are done.
First, do a soil test and figure out what you have on this strip.
Then before planting anything, amend the soil with lots of organic matter to break up your clay and make it better draining. I say this because if snow from the street sits on these plants in the winter and the soil is not well draining, almost all plants will get root rot.
Read this book, you can borrow it from the Delaware library system. The strips she designs are bigger than most of my gardens, but the information on maintaining a 'Hellstrip' is invaluable.
Hellstrip gardening : create a paradise between the sidewalk and the curb by Hadden, Evelyn J.
I have attached a list of plants that fit the criteria. Most are natives, some are not; but all are excellent plants to help fill in a planting of this kind. Some might push the edge of the 12" height with flowers that can be cut off after blooming; then the plants are well within the height restriction.
I have HOA restrictions where I live so I could only landscape my mailbox area. A photo is attached. I have used Nepeta" Walker's Low', (covered today in bees), Yarrow 'Paprika', Sedum 'Aureum', and an Annual Dusty Miller which tends to return every year here. I seldom water and it has filled in so weeding is minimal, I spend more time deadheading to prevent flop and keep it tidy and reblooming. Sorry I don't have a winter photo. I cut the yarrow and nepeta back and it stayed green all this past winter; the sedum stayed yellow and just needed tidying up in the spring. I now have some Salvia lyrata coming up, that I cut off the flowers of after blooming, and the reddish leaves look nice amongst the sedum.
Good luck with this project, send a photo when you are done.
