Plantings in the areas between the road and sidewalk or in traffic triangle areas became known as a "hell strip" plantings some years ago. Here is a link to an article about these plantings (it's by a NW garden writer who may have coined the phrase).

http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/design/2001fa_hellstrip.html

Plants recommended for xeriscaping are very good for these dry areas. Prairie plants are often good candidates(I see you are in Nebraska, so you may be familiar with prairie plants).

I think that the end result is often weedy and unkempt looking in these plantings--maybe because they are surrounded by pavement which emphasises the textural quality of the plants. I prefer a simpler,lower planting; no more than 24" high plants of 2 or 3 varieties. I think a strip of two varieties of blanketflower(gallardia) and nepeta 'Walker's Low', for instance, would be beautiful; they take dry soil and some shade, would love PM full sun, and bloom from June-frost. There are several new gallardia cultivars this season being heavily marketed. One of the new red ones and the shorter 'Goblin' would do well together.

There are all sorts of combinations, but I would keep it simple and avoid the cottage garden look. Take a look at the photo in the article and you may see what I mean.

Ginger

Here is a good example of a simple colorful design from the Guelph Boulvevard Club.

I found this link just now when I keyed 'hell strip' in the search box for this forum. The first thread up is a good one.

http://www.boulevardclub.guelph.org/page3.html