This thoughtfully designed streetside garden transforms the narrow space between the sidewalk and the curb into a vibrant, ever-changing tapestry of color, texture, and movement. In early spring, delicate white blossoms emerge in soft, woolly clusters, nestled among fresh green foliage, while subtle greenish blooms add an understated elegance to the urban landscape.
As summer unfolds, the space bursts with hues of deep purple and crisp white, rising on tall, graceful stems that sway in the breeze. Bright orange petals appear among them, adding warmth and contrast to the scene. Fine-textured grasses take root, their soft plumes lending an air of tranquility while creating a natural buffer between pedestrians and the street.
As the season shifts toward autumn, golden-yellow clusters brighten the streetscape, mingling with deep violet flowers that stand boldly against the changing light. Late-season white blooms persist, offering contrast to the surrounding richness. By the time the growing season nears its end, the garden is crowned with feathery green grasses and lingering bursts of purple and white, providing a final flourish before winter’s rest. This resilient, pollinator-friendly planting not only softens the hard edges of the urban environment but also offers a dynamic and inviting connection between people and nature right at the sidewalk’s edge.
This mix is a low-profile prairie mix for parkways durable to dry conditions, poor soil, and salt. Plants prefer 4-6 hours of sun per day and space 12 – 18″ apart. As a gentle reminder, please check local ordinances and call 1-800-JULIE before planting in the parkway.
Includes:
1 – Little Bluestem (mid/late – green)
2 – Prairie Pussytoes (early – white)
2 – Prairie Dropseed (late – green)
2 – Missouri Ironweed (mid/late – purple)
2 – Stiff Goldenrod (late – yellow)
1 – Orange Coneflower (mid/late – orange)
2 – Spider Milkweed (early – green)
2 – Whorled Milkweed (mid – white)
2 – Tall Larkspur (mid – purple)
1 – Drummond’s Aster (late – white)
1 – Aromatic Aster (late – purple)
