If you plant something with the grass, you won't be able to mow the grass, which would look so "messy" most people would be so distracted by that, the flowers would go unappreciated. Not that it's necessary to garden for anyone but yourself, but if you live in a neighborhood, you could get a fine for not mowing. And is that what you want to look at? If not, you could smother the grass now, with cardboard & mulch, to have the area ready to use in spring. Easy-peasy & shouldn't take more than an hour, tops, then you just ignore it until next year. Happy to elaborate if you have questions & are interested in investigating that.

Pics always help to get the most relevant feedback. :+)

It might also be good to know if you use any kind of "stuff" to treat for ice on your driveway, if runoff would get into the area in question. That can affect plant choices too, if that applies.

Will post a picture when I get home later, thanks!

That's true... I wonder if I kill the grass now and plant in the spring or even this fall, is there a plant that would 'out compete' the grass so keeping the grass tidy wouldn't be an issue.

are you talking about lawn grass ... as in a weed patch ...

or garden grasses???

ken

yup, just plain old boring lawn.

Remove the grass regardless as others have stated. Just scalp it off. Mulching would be good of course too. You could get some creeping juniper that rolls down over the wall a bit. It could out compete the grass... if you densely planted ($$$) or just want many years for it to fill in. Creeping verbena would cascade down the wall too and make a really nice effect... but it's an annual in your neck of the woods. Iris won't hold the grass back at all... and can look worn by the years end (in my area). Definitely post pics when you can!

Here is a pic:

How about a row of ornamental grasses such as Karl Foerster? Low maintenance, loves full sun and I don't think the wildlife would bother it.

I like GardenHo_MI_Z5's suggestions. Truthfully, lots of plants will happily grow in grass. Mulch is more a 21st century convention then a necessity, and I'm not convinced it does all the things people credit it with. You could plant a row of bulbs...just don't mow that area when the bulbs bloom. I also like the idea of something trailing that would dangle down the retaining wall...

hmm, I like the ornamental grass idea but I would need something else to add interest, maybe I could plant it with some russian sage?

I do like the idea of using shrubs because they would be more hardy growing thru grass opposed to a perennial, but I'm not sure I have the space for the two you suggested. I do love ninebark tho. I wanted it to be a thinner row so I could still walk through with my giant wheelbarrow.

Initially I was thinking of just a long row of the same plant, but now that I've pondered more... hum, drum, how boring! Ornamental grass, russian sage, and the blue tinge of the creeping juniper might create nice contrast? How does this combination sound?

Lauren: You wrote "... because I already have so many beds to maintain as it is". It doesn't sound as if you need to add another 30 feet+ to your maintenance schedule.

The paver wall and the grass behind look to be in decent shape. If you want to add a bit of interest, perhaps consider just a small grouping in one area as a focus. Go with the combo you mentioned but make just a modest sized bed of your ornamental grass, russian sage, and creeping juniper. Let the vast majority of the wall and grass remain.

Too late - I already bought plants - common issue with me, when I see plants I just have to have them.

But I think it'll be ok, I'm going to make sure I lay down lots of newspaper to try to inhibit weeds. I'll give the area a good till with some compost and pray that it behaves.

Lots of possibilities. If it were me, I would dig a small bed alongside the pavers. Consider some trailing/draping plants to spill over the wall.

well - it may be a little monochromatic for the experienced gardeners here but this is what I ended up with (alternating karl foerster grass and russian sage).

So much for low maintenance, that's a lotta mulch! But it's all good, I've made my peace with it. Will probably add some trailing elements down the road...

Next weekend's project, edging!

Looks great Lauren. Good job!

I like it. I would make a comment though - when I make new beds, I lay down cardboard instead of newspaper. Much easier to handle. I put down the cardboard, wet it thoroughly, let it set for an hour or two, and then it's very easy to trim with garden scissors to the exact shape you need. Spread mulch over, thickly. Done! Plant in a week or two. Or a month or two. Or next spring. :)