Reinvent Your Driveway: Plant It, Patio It, or Path It

Three homeowners turned dead‑space driveways into living assets.

1. PLANT IT – Palo Alto

Landscape architect Jeni Webber replaced a solid driveway with twin concrete ribbons, planting the median with low‑growers (echeverias, dwarf daffodils, sedums, creeping thyme) that tolerate tires. Fringe beds along the house and fence hold ceanothus, coffeeberry, daylilies, alpine strawberries, and espaliered apples and pears. “Instead of a boring, bland space, it now has life.”

Design: Jeni Webber and Associates, Berkeley (510/841‑3311)

2. PATIO IT – Culver City

Designer Suzanne McKevitt converted a driveway and lawn pinched between house and garage into a terrace. Pavers extended across the former lawn; clumping bamboo screens the street; large planters with acacia and grevillea define the space. Cars still park in the 12‑foot gap before a new gate.

Design: Suzanne McKevitt, McKevitt Landscape Group, Venice, CA (310/613‑4256)

3. PATH IT – Portland

After a remodel made their garage unusable for cars, Marianne Lynde and Joe Lyons removed the rear half of their driveway and installed a curving path of concrete pavers. Lush beds of astilbe, bear’s breech, hellebore, and hosta line the walk. A low cedar fence and wide gate keep kids away from the backyard koi pond. They now park one car in the driveway, one on the street (or a neighbor’s driveway).

Design: Mary Baum, Creative Landscape Designs, Portland (503/533‑9532)