07/01/2026
Whatever you call it tree lawn, hellstrip, parkway, devil strip, boulevard, curb strip, sidewalk buffer… it’s difficult for plants to grow here. The soil is dry, highly compacted, intoxicated with road salt and dog p*e, and walked/driven over. But at the same time, it’s an incredible, often forgotten, opportunity to add native plants. The result is lower maintenance and more beauty at the most visible edge of your property.
We’ve loved using Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) because it rapidly fills in the space, stays short, and is contained by the concrete on all sides. The fruits are great too, but we would not recommend eating them when planted here. These plants perform exceptionally well in the St. Louis area.
St. Louis City has new guidelines related to the permitted height of plants in the tree lawn. Board Bill 78 was passed this past winter which limits vegetation in the tree lawn to a height of 24 inches. Vegetation within a 4 feet radius of a fire hydrant should not exceed 7 inches, and all public right-of-ways and carriage walks should be clear.
It is important to understand what your local ordinances are so you know you are complying with code. This is why we recommend Wild Strawberry because it is a native plant that stays short and will perform well in this harsh environment.
