Growing Mix for Planting Strips

Most people just seed it with grass and mow, but for those who dream of turning every square inch into a pollinator paradise or colorful planting bed, this “hell strip” can be the final frontier.

Utilizing every square inch - looking to the verge

Parking strip. Devil’s strip. Tree lawn. Boulevard verge. Parkway. Median. Curb strip. Utility strip. Hells strip. No matter what you call it, this area can be troublesome. Now most would seed a lawn, keep it mowed, and call it a day. However, for properties with a strong desire to convert lawn to plantings, either because of a desire to maximize limited growing space or because they want to pack flower power in every square inch, the green verge between the sidewalk and the street can be the final frontier for planting ground. However, there are many challenges to keep in mind when clients eye up the prime real estate of the parking strip.

Challenges

Winter salt runoff, soil compaction, extreme temperatures, high foot traffic, access to walking pathways and vehicle exits, and maintaining visibility lines for driving are all challenges that planting in a hellstrip must meet. That 2-3” wide strip of soil between the curb and the sidewalk is full of highly compacted fill soil that does a lot of jobs, from where you pile your snow in winter to buried utility lines to being the area where people walk their pets. Planting too tall plants can result in reduced visibility for drivers, leading to safety concerns. Planting unruly plants can flop into pathways and upset neighbors. Planting finicky plants can lead to plant death and a barren, sad parking strip, an open invite to opportunistic weeds, worse than just leaving it as lawn. It’s essential to select plants that can not only look good with minimal effort but also can meet the conditions of the site. Without careful selection, the parking strip can become a safety hazard, a neighborhood eyesore, or worse, barren as plants die off in the face of extreme circumstances.

More Plants, More Beauty

These challenges may make some think, “Why not just leave it as a lawn then?” However, others see the median as full of opportunities for exciting new plant choices that thrive in the face of such conditions. There is a plant for every space and every condition, as long as we choose the right plant for the right place. While the verge may not be the best place to plant a prized spiky cactus collection, it can be more than just crabgrass and dandelions. For those clients who want to maximize their growing space and provide more habitat for wildlife and unexpected beauty, we’ve come up with a list of hellstrip-approved plants to weave into your next project. These native plants require no special consideration for the soil and won’t block the sidewalk or the sightlines.

Native Plant Qualities for Success in the Verge
Under 3’ tall
Tolerant of soil compaction
Salt tolerant
Drought-tolerant when established
Wildlife friendly

Coreopsis lanceolata | lanceleaf tickseed

Increased Utility

The parking strip has always been a service area, an interface between the public and the private - whether as a pass-through or a place to bury municipal utilities. But in areas where it is permissible to do so, the verge could be more. With proper plant selection, considering easy-growing characteristics that don’t flop, aren’t demanding about soil conditions, and grow below 3’, we can create spaces that are beautiful as well as functional, expanding the landscape to the final frontier of the median.

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