If you like the look of long grass, try a sedge. It's native, looks nice, and you can find a variety that grows in those conditions. If some spreads to the neighbor's yard, it will just get mown down.
Native Plant Gardening
Why native plants?
According to the The National Audubon Society:
Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.
What our community is about—
This community is for everyone who is interested in planting native species in their garden. Come here for discussions, questions, and sharing of ideas/photos.
Rules:
- Don't be a jerk.
- Don't spam.
- Stay on topic.
- Specify your region in the post title. This is a global community, so designating your region is important.
More for you to explore—
Land mines.
Land mines.
Landmines?
Depending on the neighbor, I guess.
I like the sedge idea, but maybe mix in joe-pye weed for some color and maybe butterfly action and new jersey tea (ceanothua americanus) for a low maintenance shrubbery and more butterflies. The shrubs may need some pruning to stay narrow, but probably a twice-yearly thing, they aren't crazy.
Oh I see there's some dwarf Joe Pye that would look great with sedge! Maybe some milkweed also?
For sure!
Sisyrinchium albidum?
Oh that is very pretty! I'm worried my area might be too dry for this plant. Only way to find out is to try it!
We have a small strip between our garage and ally that is similar size so we don't have to deal with spread. We have done lots of different flowers from Prairie Moon. We have brown eyed susans, purple prairie clover, partridge pea, smooth asters, pussie toes. Most we just planted so we will see how it looks in a few years when they are all established. So you can go with a mix.
However, if you want to keep things small take a look at Flawn which sells flower lawn replacements. We've had white Dutch clover for a few years in the grass which we love. We're seeding self heal now so we will see how it looks in the spring
Native plants, surround with small rocks, make a garden
That or decrotative rocks.