Verge landscaping and planting
Whether you want to attract birds and butterflies, cool your street, add value to your home or simply make your neighbours jealous (or all of the above!), there are so many amazing benefits from landscaping or planting your verge.
It need not just be a stripe of green like all the others in your street. It’s a garden waiting to happen. Turning your verge into a bed extends your garden so you can have more of your favourite plants on display and share them with your neighbours. And you no longer need to mow it!
Before you get started, read our verge planting guide. It will provide you with all of the information you need and includes five sample verge designs that meet the guidelines - we hope they inspire you to create your own great space.
Thank you for helping to make our towns and neighbourhoods beautiful and green.
Read the Verge Planting Guide now(PDF, 12MB).
What is a verge?
A verge (or nature strip) is the area between your property boundary and the road. It can have lawn, landscaping or a garden.
Verges vary in length and width, and some properties don’t have them at all. Some urban and rural verges contain native plants that are protected by law.
Verges are public spaces and are used by walkers, people (and pets) getting in and out of cars, and householders for their rubbish bins. They are the location for public services such as gas, water and sewerage, and power lines - we also use them to plant street trees.
Why landscape or plant the verge?
There are many benefits from landscaping or planting the verge.
- You create a more beautiful environment for you and your neighbourhood, making it a more enjoyable and comfortable place to be.
- You build habitat for creatures such as bees and butterflies and increase urban biodiversity. And you help local wildlife by linking natural areas and reserves with more green space.
- You help cool the streets and reduce the rate of global warming. The more plants you have, the cooler it can be.
- With more plants, you reduce the loss of rainwater and help with stormwater management.
- You can increase the value and appeal of your property. And you get additional garden space.
Residents can landscape or plant on their own verge. If you plan on simply planting on your verge in line with the Verge Planting Guide, you do not need council approval.
If you are installing hard landscapes such as paving, retaining walls or rocks, you will need approval from us - to apply to alter a public road visit the permits section of our website.
Where can I find verge inspiration?
Our verge planting guide provides a heap of useful information, plant ideas and design inspiration to help you create a great verge.
Other recommended resources include the Botanic Gardens of South Australia Plant Selector and Green Adelaide planting guides greenadelaide.sa.gov.au/resources
We're also creating three display verge gardens at locations across our region using the plants and design ideas featured in the verge planting guide. Two of the sites were recently planted - you'll find the gardens starting to grow at Aberfoyle Community Centre and Elizabeth House Positive Ageing Centre, Christie Downs. The next is planned for Aldinga Library.
After more inspo? Check out this video from Charlie of Better Homes and Gardens!
No spray register
If you would prefer to not have weed spraying done on the verge in front of your house, you can request to be added to our No Spray Register or alternatively, you can request to be removed from the register at any time.
Request to be added or removed from the No Spray Register
A sign is then placed in your verge which helps to alert contractors.
Can I lay artificial lawn or turf on the verge?
Installation of synthetic artificial lawn or turf is NOT permitted.
Artificial turf is made from plastics and simply has no environmental benefit. More so, it cannot be recycled so ends up in landfill and helps to heat your home rather than cool it in summer as it gets hotter than bitumen. Stick to natural green elements instead on your verge (and we recommend the same for your garden).
Can built structures be placed on the verge?
Make sure any shaping and mounding of the verge is very gradual to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Concrete garden borders or retaining walls on, or near the footpath are not recommended as they can present tripping hazards.
Can I plant a tree on my verge?
No, you can't plant a tree yourself, but if eligible you can have a tree planted.
Our Urban Forest team plant entire streets and suburbs during April-October each year as part of the Suburb Improvement Program. As well as beautifying older suburbs, we've integrated the findings from aerial heat and canopy mapping to help us prioritise planting locations based on tree canopy cover, vulnerable populations to heat, and pedestrian generators such as schools, shops etc. We also seize opportunities to green streets whenever other major project works are planned.
If you'd like a tree planted on your verge and it hasn't occurred as part of the Suburb Improvement Program you may still be eligible to apply as part of our Adopt a Tree program.
Who maintains a landscaped verge?
After planting, it is the residents ongoing responsibility to maintain the verge garden in a manner that is safe and tidy. This includes watering, mowing, weeding, pest and disease control, pruning and replacement of material/plants.
It also means ensuring that there are no trip hazards for pedestrians and road users.
However, maintenance of street trees must be referred to council.
