skip to main content

Small Spaces / Urban Gardening

Trees and groundcover for sidewalk boxes

18 years ago

In my street, on both sides, we have "traffic calming" cement planters, about 3x3'square, in which the city planted trees about ten years ago. It's really difficult to get them replaced once something happens, and as luck would have it, the Domino's pizza delivery guy recently drove over one of mine. *sigh*

1) I need to buy and plant a tree that will stay below 20' high, and not spread too much, but also I'd like it to be strong, with a good thick trunk. Hearty in the New England climate.

2) A dog-urine resistant ground cover

Any ideas, urban gardeners?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

emmakitty
18 years ago
Well, I've got no idea for trees, but for urban ground cover... a mint might be nice.. They take over pretty quickly.
stacy_nm
18 years ago
Some suggestions for trees:
tree-form service berry (early flowers, fruits, nice fall color)

flowering cherry (flowers, nice shape, pretty bark in winter)--a weeping cherry might be gorgeous!

crabapples (depending on the variety)

If you were willing to consider multi-stemmed trees, viburnums are really lovely.

You'd have to do some research to find the right-size cultivars of all of those. Hope that helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Small trees for cities
Related Professionals
Georgetown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Marcos Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Manhattan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mission Viejo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hannibal Landscape Contractors · Amherst Landscape Contractors · Winona Landscape Contractors · Rapid City Landscape Contractors · Sanford Landscape Contractors · Georgetown Kitchen Remodelers · Champaign Kitchen Remodelers · Gloucester Kitchen Remodelers · Middletown Kitchen Remodelers · Saint George Kitchen Remodelers · Yakima Kitchen Remodelers

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING City Gardener: Fun With Winter Window Boxes

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Winter's chill and a lack of yardage don't need to deter you from bedecking your windows with eye-catching arrangements like these

0

GARDENING GUIDES When and How to Plant a Tree, and Why You Should

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Trees add beauty while benefiting the environment. Learn the right way to plant one

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Unparalleled Power of Trees

By Donald Pell - Gardens

Discover the beauty and magic of trees, and why a landscape without them just isn't the same

The Timeless Joy of the Tree Swing

By Between Naps on the Porch

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Suggestions for Harmonious Hardscaping

Help a sidewalk, driveway or path flow with your garden design, for a cohesive and pleasing look

GARDENING GUIDES Pathway Plantings That Please the Senses

By LuAnn Brandsen

Add some color, life and intrigue beside your sidewalk with these 7 suggestions

CURB APPEAL Take Your Hell Strip to Heavenly Heights: 8 Design Ideas

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Trade weedy dirt and trash for a parking strip filled with wispy grasses, low-growing flowers and textural trees

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Let Nature Inspire Your Landscape: Ideas for a Woodland Garden

By CYAN Horticulture

Fill your senses with the magic of a wild forest-inspired garden — from shady understory plants to towering treetops

Sponsored

High Point Cabinets

21 Reviews

Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner