Walkway planting ideas needed

Can’t figure out what to plant in these two barren strips beside my walkway. Pacific Northwest, faces east. Once had bushes but quickly overgrown and pain to maintain. Also once had ornamental grasses but didn’t like the looks. Any ideas for ground cover with bright pop of color? Pics always helpful if you have ideas, but not necessary. So appreciate input - I’m stumped. View attachment 20896 View attachment 20897

 

If I was in your position, I would either plant Dwarf Sunflowers. Or Gazania Sunburst! Another thing which you can do, is see what wildflowers already grow in your area. As planting those will be low maintenance.

 

Hostas would look nice

 

What about just green grass that you mow?

 

How about something very easy and straightforward, like daisies?

 

Creeping phlox (second pic) or creeping thyme (first pic) are low maintenance ground covers with beautiful spring flower displays.

You could also consider low mounding sedums of which there are several unique varieties. Also ground cover Veronicas like Georgia Blue and the unique yellow foliaged Aztec gold.

 

OK, I've got a suggestion which you'll love! It's called Holliday Cheers. This plant doesn't grow over 14 to 16 inches. So is perfect for lining up on borders. Doesn't require any special care either. Fruit is a very colorful orangish red, but starts out green. Very eye-catching ornamental chili pepper plant.

Seeds should be easy to find online nowadays.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Vegetables-Pepper-Chile-Holiday-Cheers/dp/B07Q8SXQKS

https://rareplant.me/vegetables-1/chilli-hot-pepper-holiday-cheer

 

Are you looking for something that is an annual or perennial?

 

Jeepy, that inner soil strip looks a bit odd to me. Any possiblity of eliminating it? Putting down cement between the walkway & the driveway? Or cobblestones to separate the driveway from the walkway?

Then planting something attractive on the other side? Your eye would go to that & not the inner strip.

Whatever you plant will have to look good in all 4 seasons. Are you in an area that gets snow? So is there a snow load on those two beds in winter? Does a plow tend to plow away plantings there?

 

How about Rainbow Chilies!
They'll look awesome in your driveway.

 

Thanks so much for the great ideas (and pics) so far everyone! I'm going for perennial if possible. I can't wait to try my hand at photoshopping in several of these ideas to see what resonates with me the best. The inner strip is a bit challenging given some times 3 cars park in the driveway and get pretty close - the idea to fill in with some cobblestones and maybe combine with flowering ground cover could lessen the risk of something nice getting mushed by a wheel or two.

 

Whatever you do, I think it would be a good idea - To first install some knee high low power consumption LED garden lights for night. Nowadays you can buy those cheap solar powered garden lights. So no need to worry about power consumption either.

That way whatever you plant. Will look even more amazing during dark.