Curb Landscaping Ideas

Rocks and Gravel

• Rocks and gravel are a no-fuss-no-muss solution to this landscaping dilemma. Instead of just laying down a few inches of crushed granite, turn the curb strip into a Zen garden. Spray the area with a herbicide to kill any weeds. Put landscaping fabric over the strip and then spread out gravel. Add large rocks as the focal point with a few medium sized rocks as accents. Rake the gravel into swirling patterns. The only maintenance required will be an occasional raking.

Native Wildflowers

• Turn the strip into a bright display of colors with native wildflowers. Since they're native to the area they won't require any coddling and should perform quite nicely. Only water during drought conditions otherwise natural rainfall should be enough. Plant an assortment of flowers that will bloom from spring through fall. Contact your local university agricultural extension for specific flower variety and seed sources. You may have to use temporary fencing when you initially plant to get the flowers off to a good start. Let annual wildflowers go to seed. Remove the plants when the flower seed pods have ripened and shake them over the strip.

Roses

• Roses are lovely to look at and have thorns. Those thorns discourage people from cutting through the strip. Amend the soil and make sure you can get water to the roses. The location should have full sun exposure, as roses require a minimum of six hours daily to bloom. Use a variety that only blooms once a year. Your rose hedge will be covered in flowers for a few weeks. The rest of the time there's no worry about dead heading or removing spent flowers.

Cacti and Succulents

• Cacti naturally thrive in hot dry spots. They have the added benefit of thorns, which will keep unwanted visitors out of the curbside strip. Consider keeping the cacti buried in pots if you live where winters are cold. When fall comes, dig up the pots and let them winter on a sunny enclosed porch or indoors. Replant in the spring.