Natural Themes · Planting resources
Native Plants for Boulevard Gardens
Beautiful, resilient planting ideas for the narrow spaces between sidewalks and streets.
Boulevard gardens are green spaces along roads, often between the sidewalk and street. They can soften urban landscapes, support pollinators, reduce erosion and help slow and absorb stormwater runoff.
Roadside planting conditions are often challenging: soil can be compacted, dry, nutrient-poor and exposed to salt or snow storage. Choose low-maintenance plants suited to your particular site, and keep sightlines open for drivers and pedestrians.
Planning a Boulevard Garden
Keep views clear
Choose lower-growing plants near driveways, intersections and crossings. Place taller species only where permitted.
Match the site
Check sun exposure, drainage, soil compaction, salt spray and winter snow storage.
Water to establish
Even drought-tolerant native plants need regular watering while their roots establish.
Allow access
Leave room for pedestrians, street maintenance, utilities and access from parked vehicles.
Plan for mature size
Watch for plants that can reach 90–150 cm or spread beyond the bed.
Check local rules
Municipal boulevard planting policies, height limits and utility restrictions vary.
Native Grasses
Textural, mostly lower-growing choices for sunny boulevard plantings.
| Plant | Height | Bloom / interest | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue GramaBouteloua gracilis | 30–60 cm | Summer | Hardy, low grass with distinctive seed heads; thrives in poor soils. |
| June GrassKoeleria macrantha | 30–60 cm | — | Clump-forming grass with fine, silvery-green foliage and airy seed heads; thrives in dry, well-drained soils. |
| Little BluestemSchizachyrium scoparium | 60–120 cm | Fall and winter interest | Drought-tolerant grass with reddish-brown seed heads and vibrant fall colour. Place strategically where taller growth will not obstruct visibility. |
| Purple Love GrassEragrostis spectabilis | 30 cm | — | Clumping grass with a purplish hue. |
| Prairie DropseedSporobolus heterolepis | 30–60 cm | — | Compact, drought-tolerant grass with fine-textured foliage and airy tan seed heads. |
| Squirrel-tail Grass / Foxtail BarleyHordeum jubatum | 30–60 cm | — | Salt-tolerant, short-lived perennial with soft, feathery seed heads in pink, purple and green, aging to gold; thrives in poor, well-drained soils. |
Native Wildflowers
Flowering plants with a range of heights and bloom seasons. Consider the mature height near driveways and intersections.
| Plant | Height | Bloom / interest | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly MilkweedAsclepias tuberosa | 30–60 cm | Summer | Bright orange flowers attract pollinators; thrives in dry, sunny conditions. |
| Early ButtercupRanunculus fascicularis | 15–30 cm | Early spring | Compact perennial with bright yellow flowers for tough soils. |
| Cylindrical Blazing StarLiatris cylindracea | About 40 cm | Mid–late summer | Purple, nectar-rich flowers borne along upright stems. |
| Evening PrimroseOenothera biennis | 60–120 cm | Summer | Self-seeding plant with yellow blooms that open at dusk; grows in dry, poor soils. For a shorter option, consider Missouri Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa), 15–30 cm tall, with larger yellow blooms. |
| Field PussytoesAntennaria neglecta | 15–30 cm | Spring | Silvery foliage and fuzzy white flower clusters; suited to dry, rocky soils. |
| Foxglove BeardtonguePenstemon digitalis | 60–90 cm | Late spring–summer | Sturdy plants with showy white flowers; tolerate some dry conditions. |
| Hairy BeardtonguePenstemon hirsutus | 30–60 cm | Late spring–early summer | Lavender flowers on slender stems; handles dry, rocky soils. |
| HarebellCampanula rotundifolia | 15–50 cm | Late spring–early fall | Delicate blue bell-shaped flowers with pollinator appeal. |
| Heal-all / Self-healPrunella vulgaris | 20–30 cm | Mid–late summer | Purple to pink flower spikes; spreading groundcover attractive to pollinators. |
| Hoary VervainVerbena stricta | 30–90 cm | Summer–fall | Purple flower spikes on a drought-tolerant plant attractive to pollinators. |
| Lanceleaf CoreopsisCoreopsis lanceolata | 30–60 cm | Late spring–summer | Cheerful yellow flowers; hardy, compact plant for dry soils. |
| Mountain MintPycnanthemum muticum | 60–90 cm | Mid–late summer | Aromatic herb with pale flower clusters; listed for dry, well-drained soils. |
| Narrow-leaved VervainVerbena simplex | 20–60 cm | Summer–fall | Slender plant with purple flowers for dry, well-drained soils. |
| Nodding Wild OnionAllium cernuum | 30–60 cm | Summer | Clusters of nodding pink flowers on slender stems; suited to dry soils. |
| Pearly EverlastingAnaphalis margaritacea | 30–60 cm | Summer | Papery white flowers; tolerates dry, nutrient-poor soils. |
| Prairie AlumrootHeuchera richardsonii | 30–45 cm | Late spring–early summer | Delicate clusters of white to pale-pink flowers. |
| Prairie SmokeGeum triflorum | About 30 cm | Spring | Pink flowers followed by distinctive feathery seed heads; suited to dry sites. |
| Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpurea | 60–120 cm | Summer–early fall | Pink-purple flowers; drought-tolerant once established. Place away from critical sightlines. |
| Silky AsterSymphyotrichum sericeum | 30–60 cm | Late summer–fall | Pale lavender to pinkish-purple flowers; tolerates dry, poor, well-drained soils. |
| SundropsOenothera pilosella | 30–60 cm | Summer | Bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers on low, sprawling plants. |
| Stout Blue-eyed GrassSisyrinchium angustifolium | 30–60 cm | Late spring–early summer | Compact, grass-like plant with blue flowers; grows in dry, well-drained soils. |
| Wild StrawberryFragaria virginiana | 15–30 cm | Spring–summer | Spreading groundcover with white flowers and small edible red berries. |
| YarrowAchillea millefolium | 30–60 cm | Late spring–summer | Tough, low-maintenance perennial with flat-topped white flowers. |
Native Shrubs
Compact shrubs and groundcovers for locations where woody plants are allowed. Some may need trimming or extra space.
| Plant | Height | Bloom / interest | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bush HoneysuckleDiervilla lonicera | 30–90 cm | Summer | Dense low shrub with yellow flowers; thrives in tough, dry soils. |
| Creeping JuniperJuniperus horizontalis | 15–30 cm | Year-round | Spreading evergreen groundcover with good drought tolerance. |
| Fragrant SumacRhus aromatica | 60–150 cm | Spring | Spreading shrub with aromatic foliage and small yellow flowers; may exceed height limits in some locations. |
| New Jersey TeaCeanothus americanus | 60–90 cm | Late spring–early summer | Drought-tolerant shrub with white flower clusters for dry, nutrient-poor soils. |
| Pasture RoseRosa carolina | 60–90 cm | Summer | Compact, thorny shrub with fragrant pink flowers and red hips; tolerates dry, poor soils. |
| Shrubby CinquefoilDasiphora fruticosa | 60–120 cm | Summer–fall | Hardy shrub with yellow flowers for poor soils. |
| Shrubby St. John’s WortHypericum prolificum | 60–120 cm | Summer | Yellow flowers on a drought-tolerant shrub for sunny, dry locations. |
| Smooth Wild RoseRosa blanda | 30–60 cm | Summer | Shrub with pink flowers and red hips; tolerates dry, rocky soils. |
Email maya@naturalthemes.com to discuss your project.
This guide is for plant selection and planning, not a current stock list. Plant availability varies by season, and suitability depends on local growing conditions and municipal requirements.