You might want to google "hell strip"

Here is a link that might be useful: bbg article about hell strips

I've seen a few parking strips planted with things other-than-grass that look good, and many that don't. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what determines whether they're going to be successful or not.

I kind of like the looks of Bev's (linked to below). It may be a matter of choosing plants that are suitable and caring for them so they're healthy. I'm sure that's part of it, but I think tying it to the rest of the property is probably just as important.

When I do mine, I'm going to create a bed that crosses the sidewalk and extends into the main part of the front yard, connecting the areas visually. Something like this: {{gwi:22706}}
My hellstrip will remain partly planted in grass--maybe replanted in buffalo grass eventually. If I use the same plants on both sides of the sidewalk, walking along it should seem like walking through a flower bed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bev's hellstrip in Colorado

I THINK that what I did with mine is one of the solutions you don't like - I planted a bunch of plants, though I also incorporated a lot of paver slabs so it is mostly open area. I also have a little plumbing theme going with a couple of old sinks to corral my invasive plants and a piece of sewer pipe... never mind, it looks better than it sounds.

ANYWAY sounds like your basic challenge is to create straight mower lines out of what are now curves and tight spaces. So I would personally sketch the shapes you want (ask him what the ideal or most acceptable mowing pattern is). Then think about what alternatives could fill those spaces: perhaps a ground cover around the base of the tree (I did not say tree ring, I did not!!!), and some paving around the mailbox.

I'm not personally a big fan of designing for the mower as the most frequent outcome is "Gaaah!" but if you have to do it, you have to do it. And that, I think, would be my approach.

KarinL

I'd love to see yours, KarinL...it sounds interesting. Do you have a photo you can post?

Kurioo: I forgot to ask, what kind of house do you have, that you're trying to match?

Thanks for the comments and links, guys. If I get enough baby-free time that isn't spent in the garden, I'll try to post a pic.

I have a 1969 straight brick ranch. It doesn't have any nice architectural features and looks exactly like most of the houses in my neighborhood that were all built together. Because it's a starter neighborhood, few people have spent any money on landscaping, so I see a lot of what doesn't work (overgrown yew foundation plantings, box trimmed junipers, no care at all, etc).

The former owner of my house tried to spruce it up and added a large raised curving flower bed with rock borders in front of the house and filled it with too-closely planted lilac shrubs and some vinca. The curving lines, large rocks and raised flower bed actually help the house's look, making it one of the nicer fronts in the neighborhood.

The hell strip originally had a tree circle lined in rock border to match the house, with various bulbs and lilies inside. The rest of the strip was grass. We removed all but 5 of the largest rocks when we replaced the scrubby city oak with a prettier kwanzaa cherry.

My hubby's answer about best mowing line would be 'straight' or no mowing at all!! Second best would be the widest angle possible since the strip is so narrow. I have been trying to think of something that would have straighter lines but give the illusion of curves.

Thanks for all the responses.