Local Hellstrip-Curbside Garden Teaches a Lesson

  • Post published:07/04/2014
  • Post comments:2 Comments
Hellstrip Gardening
Hellstrip Gardening

I have been reading Evelyn Hadden’s book Hellstrip Gardening: Create a paradise between the sidewalk and  the curb, with all its beautiful photographs of  the different ways a curbside garden can be created.  Hadden includes gardens from across the country from Oregon and California to Minnesota and New York. Different climates and different inspirations.  I was very happy that she also included Rain Gardens as one of her themes because many urban areas have a great problem with rain runoff. In these days some rains have become amazingly heavy, stressing storm sewer systems that then flood waste water sewers. It is ever more important that we all work to keep rainfall  where it falls. We can make sure we have many permeable surfaces – and raingardens. I know in Cambridge, Massachusetts where my son lives, there are rules about how much square footage in a house lot must be permeable. You cannot build or cover more.

While Heath is a rural town and I live where there is not a single sidewalk, there are local towns that have sidewalks and some of them even have hellstrips, an area between the street and the sidewalk. However, I have a friend with an absolutely fabulous curbside garden.

Curbside garden
Curbside garden

This photo gives an idea of how this curbside garden works in the streetscape.

Curbside garden
Curbside garden

With heucheras, hostas and creeping phlox in this area there is a  wonderful arrangement of foliage color and texture.

curbside garden
Curbside garden

A great use is made of everygreens which can supply a surprising range of color.

 

curbside garden
Curbside garden

Small trees, shrubs, ground cover – and flowers! This curbside garden has everything!  And something for every season.

If you would like to win a copy of Evelyn Hadden’s book, Hellstrip Gardening, leave a comment here before midnight July 6.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Rose

    I wasn’t going to participate in this contest, Pat, because I live out in the country and don’t have any sidewalks or hellstrips. But as I looked at some of your photos here, I realized Evelyn’s ideas for combination plantings could work anywhere and could inspire me even if I don’t have a sidewalk. And I’d definitely like to learn a little more about rain gardens, particularly since we do have a problem with flooding at times.

  2. Lovely Pat and I have been wanting to read this book for inspiration….wonderful that you have reviewed it and are having this giveaway!

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