You can squeeze in some annuals or bulbs but that's about it. Too skinny for any shrubs and even the majority of perennials.

a landscaper told me he could plant some sky pencil holly - what do you think of that option? thanks!

I'd love to see pictures!

I expect I'd use a groundcover of some sort.

You should consider that the soil in your foot wide strip is probably quite poor for successful plant growing, having been compacted for your patio which also will add some extra lime to your soil.

I would probably put in a deep planter box with a base that is open over the narrow strip, but which is wider than that, a minimum of 2-3 feet wide for shrubs or if you want to keep it narrower, plant it with annuals and use evergreen branches for winter decoration. You don't say where you are, but anything perennial (whether woody or herbaceous) in a planter box should be hardy to a couple of zones colder than you are.

OK, i went out with my camera this morning - here's the view from the street.

and heres from the driveway side...

and here it is looking down at the ground...

i really don't like the way we see the plain concrete in the front- i'd love to "hide" it somehow....

future plans include a railing, columns and roof over the porch...

Weed block fabric and gravel or small stone for that small space.

Or maybe something like Ajuga. Don't know where you live or your zone.

sorry, we live in maryland - don't know the zone!

nhbabs - i like the idea - but i'm afraid it'll block the walkway too much.
dave- do you know how tall ajuga grows? would it "hide" the concrete?

i just met with another landscaper - he suggests varigated liriope - ornamental grasses.... any thoughts about that?

I'd be tempted to just fill it in and widen the path. I see a twisted ankle one dark night when someone puts a foot down the gap. It will also lead to some awkward weeding imo. You could always put planters on the patio with something trailing down a bit.

oh how i wished you has asked first.. there is no reason.. you couldnt have given yourself a foot or two extra ...

get the railing in ... do clematis and morningglory ... some groundcover ...

you really dont have many options beyond vines ... jsut not enough space ...

ken

My first thought was Ornamental Grasses of some sort (there are hundreds, but, NOT BAMBOO!).

Now that I see the photos, I agree with floral. This looks like a tripping hazard just waiting to happen. I'm not even sure it is up to code. Filing it in might be best, otherwise a railing is essential to prevent some potentially serious liability issues. And maybe even both :-) The liriope is not a bad suggestion - could work in that very tight space.

FWIW, most ornamental grasses will easily exceed the allowed space. While grass-like in appearance, liriope is not a grass but just a gradually spreading, low growing, evergreen flowering perennial related to asparagus.

re: tripping hazard...see this photo..and we're going to install a railing too. so we won't be jumping off the patio to get to walkway!

Liriope will look messy...like weeds coming up in the cracks of the sidewalk, in my opinion. I'd still go with filling in with River Rock.

Use the space to install the supports for the railing, and then fill in with gravel--the sharp kind that compacts well so if someone steps on it they won't slip. You could plant vines, as was suggested, before the gravel.

I agree that filling it in with gravel after finishing the railing is best. Then I would find some interesting containers and plant them with annuals and changing when necessary. It would not be expensive if you either started out with small plants or started seeds. Have fun with the containers. Some suggestions are nasturtiums in the summer ( a package will cost about $3 and fill several pots - let them climb the new up the new railing, bulbs for the spring and winter annuals - or you could try some dwarf conifers. Small bamboos - make sure they are clumping would also be interesting. The pots of flowers would also define the edge of the cement and soften it. If there is a lot of sun, then you might try something like strawberries or even cherry tomatoes. You could also plant herbs in the pots - just make sure they have really good drainage - barbeque on the new patio and pick your herbs for dinner right there.

Railings with clematis underneath. Fill with a nice looking gravel and be done.

Very strange to leave a gap like that. But I still think one of the groundcover sedums would look acceptable.

Oh my.

Please install railings as soon as possible....today!

I agree with the others that that narrow strip is not suitable for ornamentals, but I promise you that weeds will love it.

It's a dreadful safety hazard at present.

thanks to all of you for chiming in...!! I hear why you're suggesting gravel, and that would be an easier option, but I really want to hide the ugly concrete look in the front.
I'd love if someone can suggest some sort of plant, shrub, flowers, something, that would grow in that narrow area, and grow upwards, not out, to hide the concrete.
is it just wishful thinking?? I hope not!

Clematis--you could plant several for different colors and bloom time. They will loose their leaves.

If you are zone 7 or above you could plant Carolina Jessamine--it is evergreen and will have yellow flowers in spring with some repeat. For colder zones you would need to research evergreen vines that would be hardy for you. You could also add in annual vines such as morning glory or blackeyed susan vine.

bees,

Look up online dwarf arborvitae. They are small, attractive, evergreen, and not expensive, you can look around at the nurseries in your area to see them. I planted them on both side of my walkway, they look really nice. I think that is what you are looking for, a finished look.

They play well with others, you can also plant them on the driveway side. Allow 3 feet in between them. You can plant them in a box if you want, or in containers, and the clematis is a great idea! Clematis is gorgeous, easy to care for, blooms pretty flowers, will climb on your railing after you install it, no thorns on a clematis, and would look nice with a dwarf arborvitae.

You can also trim arborvitae, I'm talking dwarf here, you can even build a custom wood box for the inside part between patio and steps, and first fill with small gravel, then potting mix for a small garden, including the clematis.

By the way, your patio looks nice. Just get the railing as soon as possible, even before the plants, you may be surprised how little space is left after the railing is installed.

Pachysandra.