What to Plant on the Curb of My Yard

Cranesbill, a ground cover, forms tight mats that discourage weed growth.

Harsh sunlight, foot traffic and salt or sand spray from street maintenance make curbsides challenging planting environments. Finding the right plants is worth the effort because they beautify neighborhoods, help limit runoff and decrease erosion. Horticulturists suggest using plants that withstand heat, drought, exposure and difficult soils. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommends low-maintenance grasses such as sideoats grama, buffalograss and switchgrass. Low-growing native perennials and ground covers are also good choices. Does this Spark an idea?

Thyme

Thyme plants thrive in sunny conditions where the soil drains well. Jennifer Bennett, author of "Dryland Gardening," recommends them for ground covers near pathways, patios and pavement areas. As passersby brush or walk on the stems, the plants release a pleasant fragrance. Thyme serpyllum (mother of thyme) is rambunctious in growth and traffic-resistant. The rose-lilac colored flowers bloom in midsummer. There are thyme cultivars available in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 10.

Hardy Geranium

Geranium ground cover, or cranesbill, forms tight mats that discourage weeds from growing when planted in well-drained areas. It's a popular choice because it blooms in sun or shade and if you pinch back the expired blossoms, it will bloom all summer long. Geranium macrorrhizum grows in zones 4 to 8 and is a welcome replacement for old standards such as pachysandra and ivy. Cranesbill grows next to curbs, under trees, on slopes or just about anywhere. Bennett recommends G. sanguineum (bloody cranesbill) for its red fall foliage.

Coronilla Varia

Coronilla, or crown vetch, grows on banks and hillsides. The deep, underground runners hold soils in place in difficult spots, such as ditches and steeply paved areas. Crown vetch is a legume that enriches the soil with nitrogen as it grows. The tangled mats tumble over other plants and weeds in areas that get little moisture and lots of sun. The plants are too aggressive for formal gardens but do well where there are rocky outcrops or in places where little else grows. Bennett recommends cultivars such as Penngift and Emerald for the Midwest, and Chemung for the Northeast.

Lowbush Blueberry

Blueberry bushes are native perennials that don't mind sand and sun. Landscape designer, Ann Crichton-Harris, states that these types of perennials, once established, are low in maintenance and relatively pest and disease-free. The berries are edible by people and wildlife, and grow in zones 3 to 7. Rhododendrums, Juniperus and Kamia augustifolia make good companion plants because they contribute to the acidity of the soil.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Curbside Plantings - A Gift to the Neighborhood
• "Dryland Gardening"; Jennifer Bennett; 2005
• Harvard University: Lowbush Blueberries

Resources

• Texas A&M University: Earth-Kind Plant Selector