Suggestion for Walkway

15 years ago

I am looking for suggestions on what to plant along the walkway leading up to my front steps. The area is not all that big, maybe three or four feet long; however it is a focal point of the yard/garden.

For this area, I am thinking of something upright but not too tall and with somewhat neat form. I did Thumbelina Zinnias one year with great success, and last year I did small Dahlias with a bit less success (thanks, slugs).

I keep going to the greenhouse, but nothing is popping out at me. Does anyone have any suggestions? The area gets full sun, and gets a bit hot due to its proximity to the concrete walk.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
where are you ...

and how wide is the bed???

ken
kippyk
Original Author
15 years ago
I am in zone 5B. The area is kind of hard to explain, it is more of a landing between the stairs to my front porch and the stairs leading down to the driveway. On one side of the landing is a slope at a forty-five degree angle leading to the driveway about three of four feet away. There is a star juniper planted in the area about a foot down the slop.

On the other side it is level, but it is not uniform shape, due to it being the apex of the curve of the large garden bed in front of my home. So, there is a point towards the front and it gets wider and wider towards the back end of the landing.

If I want to keep it symmetrical, then I only have about a foot's width. However, if I did something that could trail down the hill, then I guess I would have more width to work with.

Thanks for any ideas!
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Donna
15 years ago
Well, depending on whether you are there permanently....you could build a retaining wall on your slopes and fill in behind it to create one or two level beds. I am putting in a link to show you my vegetable garden which I designed and installed myself. It's dirty work, but not that hard. This would create a planting area with great soil and that is easy to work in.

If you are only there temporarily, you might want to consider plants that trail or cascade. If you lived in the deep south, I would recommend lantana or Red Cascade Rose. As far north as you live, perhaps some others can recommend plants appropriate to your area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Self installed raised beds on a slope.
lam702
15 years ago
I have a sunny patch by my walkway and I usually pick plants that spread, as I like them to fill in the area. I always choose low maintenence plants too, as I am a lazy gardener. Here are some suggestions - sweet alyssum, marigolds, zinnias, portulaca, dianthus, nasturtiums, cosmos (the short yellow and orange types) petunias, vinca. All are easy to grow, love sun and would do well. The marigolds and zinnias you can get in all sizes too.All can take somewhat dry conditions (except maybe the petunias)