The strip of land between the sidewalk and the street curb is a common feature of urban and suburban landscapes, known by many names, including the parkway or boulevard. This challenging area is most accurately referred to as the “hellstrip” due to the notoriously hostile conditions for plant life. Transforming this narrow, often neglected space into a thriving garden requires understanding its unique environmental pressures and employing specific cultivation strategies. This guide offers practical steps for a successful hellstrip garden.
Defining the Hellstrip and Its Responsibility
The hellstrip is the linear section of ground bounded by the street curb and the pedestrian sidewalk. Its dimensions are typically narrow, often only three to five feet wide, and it runs the entire length of the adjacent property. This space is almost always part of the public right-of-way, meaning it is technically owned by the local government.
Despite public ownership, maintenance responsibility typically falls to the adjacent property owner, according to local ordinances. This obligation includes mowing, weeding, and any landscaping efforts. Before planting, checking with the local municipality is necessary, as regulations often dictate acceptable plant height, species, and whether permits are required. Additionally, underground utilities often run through this strip, so calling a utility locator service, like 811, is mandatory before digging to prevent damage.
The Unique Environmental Challenges
The “hellstrip” nickname is well-earned because the environment created by the surrounding hardscape is difficult for most plants to survive. The soil is frequently severely compacted, often consisting of poor-quality urban fill or subsoil that offers little drainage or nutrient holding capacity. This compaction results from construction, utility work, and foot traffic, making it hard for roots to penetrate and for water and oxygen to circulate.
A significant challenge is the intense heat and light exposure, known as the urban heat island effect. The concrete sidewalk and asphalt street absorb and radiate solar energy, creating significantly higher ground temperatures. Plants are exposed to high winds and direct, reflected sunlight, leading to rapid moisture loss. Furthermore, in colder climates, the hellstrip receives salt spray and chemical runoff from street de-icing agents. These salts accumulate in the soil, creating a toxic environment that inhibits a plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, often killing non-tolerant species.
Preparing the Site for Success
Mitigating the hellstrip’s hostile environment begins with addressing the poor soil structure. Tilling is not recommended as it destroys existing soil structure, but deep aeration is necessary to loosen the compacted earth. Use a digging or spading fork to pierce the soil deeply, without inverting the layers, to create air spaces and improve initial drainage. Follow this process by incorporating organic matter, such as high-quality compost, to enhance soil fertility and water retention.
The next step involves establishing boundaries and planning for access. Installing a low border or edging helps protect the planting area from foot traffic, snow plow debris, and excessive salt spray. If the strip is wide enough, creating a designated pathway with stepping stones or a gravel strip prevents people from walking through the plantings to access parked cars. While permanent irrigation systems may be restricted by local codes, planning for temporary or hand-watering access is important during the establishment phase, as newly planted roots require consistent moisture.
Selecting Hardy and Tolerant Plants
Successful hellstrip planting requires selecting species with survival traits that counter the environmental stress factors. Drought tolerance is a primary requirement, making xeriscaping principles applicable, as soil volume is limited and irrigation is often impractical. Plants should possess deep root systems or water-storing capabilities to handle the intense, reflected heat and dry soil conditions.
Resistance to salt is another necessary trait, particularly where road salt is used in winter. Resilient choices include species known for their tolerance to saline conditions, such as:
- Creeping sedum
- Ornamental grasses (e.g., Blue Fescue or Little Bluestem)
- Yarrow, which thrives in poor, dry soil
- Creeping thyme and juniper, which offer low-growing, durable groundcover
The final selection should be low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning or shaping, and kept under a height that ensures clear sightlines for drivers and pedestrians.