Where are you located?

tj

Detroit, MI area

I find blueberry shrubs very decorative. You could look for shorter varieties and plant two different shrubs for crosspollination and heavier fruit set.

They need impeccable drainage but you could raise the soil level slightly, so the rainwater from the driveway doesn't flood that bed.

The only issue would be keeping the birds away -- I don't know how your neighbors would react to netting etc.

I would plant a tomato at the back by the wall. You'd need a stake or two. In the front of that I would grow chard. Rainbow or Rhubarb Chard has very attractive red/orange stems, and the height would be about right. You could even grow a few lettuces along the front edge ;).

Pepper plants can be ornamental and attractive if you get away from the blocky bells, especially hot peppers if you are interested in growing those.

With regard to planting foods near a driveway where automobiles park, I wouldn't get worried. Major pollutants of autos are things that plants simply don't take up - nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. That even goes for most volatile organic compounds. Now, really, the produce you get in the supermarket is probably exposed to vastly more of all that from tractors and transportation than you'd get in your driveway. Of course, decades ago, when gas was leaded, lead contamination of soil was ubiquitous, and lead was taken up by plants and put in the food chain. That isn't true anymore. Just living near automobiles is another issue, because you're breathing the stuff.

Another vote for Blueberries.

My immediate thought on just seeing the photo was wanting a small tree there. A small fruit tree would give you the edible aspect, and, if properly pruned, would be an airy visual barrier to the opening of the garage from the street.

Kate

Of course, decades ago, when gas was leaded, lead contamination of soil was ubiquitous

And we don't know what the usage history is in this location, where it has already been pointed out that the bed may be receiving driveway runoff.

I had an uncle helping me with my car one time automatically dump the used motor oil so generated on the nearest bit of planting bed. Without prior discussion (if asked I would have arranged to have it disposed of properly).

So better situate any garden far away from the house because we don't know what lead paints were used on the house and have been leaching into the soil nearby. Oh yeah, all those painted fences as well. Of course it is well known that biocides leach out of paints and roof runoff as well. Fortunately asbestos isn't taken up by plants. Any square foot of any urban area can be polluted. At some level, you just have to cross your fingers.

If your soil is acidic, go with blueberries. If not, try currants. If you don't know, get a soil test. Usually available from your state University extension. The soil test well tell you if the site is contaminated. Some states forbid currants (Maine, unfortunately). Some require only cultivars resistant to White Pine Blister Rust, which currants can host with no problem or symptom, unlike White Pines

carrots, beets...

Do you know what zone you are? I see it as a perfect place for a small fruit tree; perhaps a plum or even a serviceberry (Autumn Brilliance?) A quince or medlar tree? All stay well below 20', and I think all would work well in Michigan. These would give you blossoms (fragrant) and fruit and fall color along with nice structure in the winter. I would also have some sort of groundcover plant: strawberry, lingonberry, wintergreen? It is self contained by the driveway and sidewalk, so you could even plant an herb garden there: fresh chives, oregano, thyme, mint...whatever you like!