17 makeover tips for your water-wasting parkway

Watering restrictions have led many homeowners to seek alternatives to grass on their parkways, or so-called devil’s strips. Here, a mixture of rocks and succulents adds a rustic feel to a parkway.

This parkways combines water-sipping succulents, New Zealand flax and dymondia, the silvery-leaved ground cover.

A mix of succulent plants, loose stones and a walkway makes this parkway friendly to drivers.

Mixed rocks and water-thrifty plants help cut water usages. But some cities, like Los Angeles, prohibit the use of loose rock on parkways unless it’s being used in a storm water capture system.

Euphorbia tirucalli, ‘Sticks on Fire,’ adds color to a parkway, and it doesn’t need much water. Here are some other ideas for adding color to a drought-resistant garden.

In some parts of Los Angeles, guidelines call for an 18-inch “convenience strip” so that passengers can safely exit vehicles parked along the curb.

This parkway combines low-profile plants nearest the street and loose bark chips.

Decomposed granite and a walkway add design elements offset by a succulent and agave mix of plants.

Lily bushes and wood chips abut this granite walkway.

New Zealand flax, phormium bushes and wood chips are another way to dress up the parkway.

This parkway features a giant agave next to a tree stump.

Stone pathways are always attractive. But they must be flush with the curb and be replenished when necessary, according to Los Angeles city guidelines. So make sure to check in with your local jurisdiction before making any changes.

Sage plants are a drought-tolerant choice for adding height to your parkway design. Many cities have height restrictions on parkway plantings, though.

This parkway brims with plants and unexpected pops of color.

This look won’t require any water, but it has the potential to get you in trouble. Cobblestone or groundcover that doesn’t provide an easily walkable surface is discouraged by some cities, such as Los Angeles. In L.A., for example, homeowners must set the stones in cement.

One thing you might want to leave out of your parkway plan? Plants with thorns. One example of a plant you don’t want to brush up against while crossing to the sidewalk: the shrub Euphorbia milii, or ‘Crown of Thorns.’

Small sedums are popular choices for parkways because they don’t need much tending -- and they look plump and lush.

This parkway goes for a grass-less mix of low-water plants and ground coverings.