I think it's doable - I've seen similar potager-type plantings in neighborhoods here. I'd be inclined to do raised beds. This would put your produce above dogwalking/pedestrian levels and limit the impact those activities might have. Raised beds would also provide for some decent soil conditions as you would need to import decent soil - soil in parking or 'hell strips' is notoriously bad, generally being fill and heavily compacted. Raised beds would also allow for access through and around without stomping through the plantings for visitors that may need to park on the street. Because this area is so visible and the first thing you and visitors will view, I'd give careful thought to selection and arrangement. Edible gardens often are less attractive than functional and one in this prominent a location needs to be both. I might consider this to be a good spot for perennial edibles - those that have more than a seasonal presence. Blueberries come immediately to mind, as these are very ornamental landscape plants as well providing delicious berries, but there are other possibilities.......herbs, other berries, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, etc. I'd also check with the city. In some municipalities, there are restrictions on what can be planted in these strips, as far as heights, limiting visibility, etc. And don't forget about the need to water this area regularly and how easily that can be accomplished.

The leaves of mine recurve, which I gather Gloriosa does not. But Recurvifolia? Hmmm. Let me ask this. When the flower is done, can I slice off the big flower stem and plant it? Is that a way to propagate? In the past, I've just hacked off the main trunk and replanted the top. The stump that remains resprouts by itself. But planting the used flower stem keeps the original plant looking good. This post was edited by daninthedirt on Wed, Oct 15, 14 at 10:15

Why not try a few ornamental grasses and see how it goes? If that is a fairly large tree, pruning the roots may interfere with its stability in wind. Perhaps you might want to talk to an arborist first. Sue

Way to go! I just set up a blog about parking strip gardens (I live in Seattle, where there are tons of them), including my own. It doesn't have a ton of info yet but if you check back, I hope to add a lot in the near future, including different ideas for planter boxes. Seattle has laws governing what you can do with your parking strip, so Portland is probably the same. Here you need a permit to make a raised bed, not sure how many people actually get one though. My parking strip edibles have included (over the past 8 yrs., some in raised beds and some not) arugula, lettuces, mesclun (baby salad mix), spinach, fennel, broccoli, leeks, shallots, carrots, beets, strawberries, bok choi, edible flowers (nasturiums, calendulas, pansies, etc) and many herbs (oregano, mint, thymes, sages, rosemary, tarragon, etc) and probably a lot else I can't remember at the moment. I protect the edibles beds with a removable wire fence (keeps the dogs out)and sometimes cover with (admittedly ugly) chicken wire or landscape cloth to protect newly planted seeds and seedlings from birds. No problems with poops or thieves so far, maybe I have just been lucky. One thing to really consider is your soil - if you think it's bad, dig it out and replace with good stuff. Or just dig in compost and hope for the best (my method, the semi-lazy way). One benefit of a raised bed is that you add your own soil and don't worry so much about what might be lurking there from previous owners/city grime. If you have good enough setback from the curb, car doors shouldn't be a problem. You can also "train" pedestrians to not walk on your stuff by providing them with ample paths through from the curb, something I need to do more of. Cities also have laws about hardscaping so that's another thing to maybe check into. Good luck! You're doing a great service to your neighborhood by greening up the parking strip. I'd love to see before/after photos if you want to send them sometime - I'll post them on the blog with your permission. Cheers, Karen Here is a link that might be useful: Greenwalks