We have a 50-60' front walk that needs SOMEthing. Well, what it really needs is to be replaced with a wider walk made of brick or pavers or something appropriate, but between budget constraints and an impending road-widening and front-sidewalk relocation in a few years, we're not going there for several years.
For now we would like to border it with something to make it look a lot less stark and a lot more inviting.
What we want is:
- something that is low (under 1'), and that will spread (or can be contained) to under 2' or so.
- tending more towards a mound shape than irregular or spikey
- shade/filtered sun tolerant but not hostas (Partner is sick to death of how I kind of overdid hostas at our last house, so this is one thing that's non-negotiable)
- flowers at least some part of the year or has colerful foliage (i.e. not just a little green-only evergreen)
- perrineal or self-sowing annual.
- year round visual interest or evergreen foliage is preferred
- relatively low maintenance
- not starkly formal
Now, I know that we're not likely to find something that fits ALL of these criteria, so "low", "not hostas" and "shade/filtered sun tolerant" are the only two things that are non-negotiable.
Oh and a dream request would be to find something that's a fragrant plant or herb that fits all or most of these requirements.
Anyone have any great ideas?
Here's a pic that shows at least part of our front walk. FYI, that azalea will be moved before we plant whatever we decide to put along the walk. And we're going to start shaping the front beds (probably something that involves a curve out from the front walk edging and is generally a curvy less-formal shape overall) and putting in some of the anchor plants that we want there, including a hydrangea and that stray azalea).
