Nothing will grow there, and you need those extra few inches for safety in case some poor bloke is in the road and needs to step out of the way of traffic. I would paint the door a cheery color and put a welcome mat on the stoop. What are those containers?

Thanks, SWF. Those are great tips. I was considering painting the door black. The containers are our planter that needs to be filled, and a bin for dog poops. Maybe a few climbing plants then...

Not black, something cheerful. And please put the poop bin down at street level, not next to the door.

What about some low flowering groundcover or flower bulbs? They might be able to grow in tight spaces. (Not sure about the impact from heat of road and the house though.) I do like the idea of a railing and window box with trailing plants.

Thank you, both, for your recommendations! And for the mockup. I think these will have high impact. This will be at the top of my spring to do list. ☺️

Arborvitae can be spaced and shaped to add green without forming a hedge. Good soil, drainage and moisture would be challenging. The reward could be worth it.

Thanks for the plant recommendation, Dan. Those would look amazing.

How wide is the strip of soil? A foot maybe? And is it soil or building debris?

Arborvitae are far too big for the space, even with constant trimming. And the sides against the wall would just be bare and brown.

You could try something like sedums in the gravel and settle for containers by the steps. I've also seen hollyhocks in similar situations. I'd make the containers pretty robust because they're quite likely to get scraped by traffic. In fact they'd protect the bottom of your stair rail. https://outofmyshed.co.uk/2015/07/07/greening-up-your-neighbourhood/

Thanks for your insights and recommendations, Flora. The strip is about half a foot. I was thinking of containers as well. Maybe the plainer greenery along the side and something flowery near the door.

If grass with an irrigation system doesn't work, install AstroTurf. Install a railing along your porch and stairs, place a black planter with something easy to care for as well as a flower box on the front window (angle wall). Paint the door and flower box (black or taupe) the same colour as the window frames. Replace the sconce by the door with a larger one with large street numbers underneath.

Thanks so much for your recommendations and rendering, Lise! That's a great option with AstroTurf providing a quick facelift!

I think artificial turf would be ghastly. Firstly, it would look completely fake and it would be difficult to get it level with no edges showing. Secondly, it would be soon covered in grit and debris from the street. It would just look as if you'd laid an offcut of dirty green carpet outside your lovely stone house.

Could you build a rectangular stone planter beside the steps? Same as the house walls? It would provide cheeks for the steps and the railing could be incorporated into it.

I was thinking sedums also. Would not interfere with poor blokes. You’d need to research what for zone. You could start by plopping a few 4-6 in starts in there, probably closest to your doorway so you can easily pour some water on while getting going, & pinching off stems to stick in the adjacent soil. Or Hens& Chicks if super dry, but sedums propagate easier for me. If they do well you could expand your efforts next year or season.

The entry doesn’t look very inviting. I agree about getting a handrail. You really need color. Paint the door a vibrant color, maybe also use the same paint on the railing.

You're short of space so focus on vines and preferably colorful ones… climbing roses, hydrangeas, Star Jasmine, etc. You should have enough earth to plant vines. Simply attach a large horizontal trellis to your house. You can attach it to the mortar, so you don’t ruin your stone. You have a large section that would look stunning with vines.

You can also look into using wire trellis, like images 4 & 7.

As a ground cover, you could use something like Mondo grass, which is often used as an accent. Pretty florets of grass. You only need to cut with shears, once in the winter (last 2 images)

I would go with trellis for roses, vines, grapes or wisteria. Plus flower pots, solar lights.

or

Can you give us a geographical location? Some of these suggestions wouldn't work if you have cold winters. And some are high maintenance. Also some idea of the amount of traffic and whether there are pedestrians to take into account. Is there a path for them on the other side of the road? If not you shouldn't block the edge of the road alongside your house.

Thanks so much, everyone, for your thoughtful responses and recommendations. I live in southern Ontario, Canada, growing zone 6.

I have a landscaper visiting for a consultation tomorrow and I will bring up some of your recommendations. Will share the final result. ☺️

While my house is beside a road it's a private drive for me and a handful of neighbors only. Not many pedestrians really.

I was under the impression this was a street but If it's a private drive I would think plantations (grass, shrubs, vines, or etc,) would be possible with a proper irrigation system.

Hi folks, so the landscaper recommended river rock and staggered hicks yew shrubs along the perimeter, and a few windows boxes under the large window as several of you recommended. I think these changes would be very elegant. I'm also looking into getting a glass and black aluminum handrail. Thanks for all your suggestions!!