Home Landscaping for Driveway Parking

Edging

• Adding edging around a parking area will reduce your maintenance by blocking wayward weeds and grass. Whether the driveway is paved with concrete, gravel or pavers, edging can accentuate the rustic or earthy qualities of the paving material. For instance, medium-size fieldstones around a gravel driveway contain the gravel and help prevent cars from pulling off the edge and onto the lawn. When laid over a base of gravel, edging allows excess water to drain away, preventing puddles and other water damage.

Trees

• If the parking space is purely functional and not meant to be a visual focal point, planting a tree nearby draws the eye up to a lush green crown. A tree also adds shade during warm months, which helps keep car interiors cooler on hot days. Sawtooth and live oaks are two examples of fast-growing oak trees that add a grand presence to a yard, and vibrant yellow and red foliage in fall. These deciduous trees require maintenance once they shed foliage and twigs, but the beauty they offer is significant. To limit maintenance, choose an evergreen such as the Loblolly pine.

Hedges

• Hedges can bring a luxurious feel to a basic parking space, but they must be well-maintained, because untrimmed hedges near a driveway can scratch cars and guests passing by. For a traditional look, a boxed hedge grows a few feet thick, offering privacy and a sound barrier. Low-rise hedges provide greenery and definition without blocking views or detracting attention from the rest of the yard.

Flowers

• Planting a flower bed along the side of a parking space can give guests a striking first impression. Choose a mix of colors and heights, and select flowers with different bloom times so there are almost always new, colorful blossoms. Scented plants such as lavender and night-blooming moonflower stimulate the senses with a subtle, inviting fragrance.