Durability

• When selecting plants to line a driveway, consider durability first. These plants will be exposed to fuel and dirt, as well as ice salt during the winter. They may even suffer a few minor mishaps with a car. The perennials and shrubs you see in commercial plantings are often good choices. These plants, known as "parking lot shrubs," thrive on neglect and abuse. Consider Japanese spirea, barberry, day lilies or ornamental grasses.