Hi everyone! I'm looking for suggestions on how to design the top of the driveway under this window. There used to be a garage door where the window is then the previous owners finished it off for additional square footage, but unfortunately, the driveway still goes right up to the house. I've considered a narrow raised garden bed, or some window boxes, but I'm not sure yet. The area gets at least 6 hours of sun and I'm in zone 4 with really harsh winters. I don't mind doing something with annuals or perennials and can be flowers, greenery or both. I attached a photo of the driveway area then the rest of the front yard too.

Clematis would look good in there for some height. Some groundcover roses (if you don't want to go big in there) would provide some more color throughout the season and the newer ones are usually easy care. Salvias and coneflowers would look good also. Coral bells would look good along the front since they grow low to the ground and can also provide color if you prefer colorful foliage or you can go with green foliage. Catmint is another great plant to grow and will bloom all summer long.

Oh, these are suggestions for all the beds there in the front. All would work in a small bed on the driveway also.

You could also make a small vegetable garden there in the area you are wanting to redo.

I would think you need a large shrub in that spot between the driveway and the landing to the front door. How about a Ninebark? Mine would fill that entire space. It would be extremely low maintenance, as well.

It might be nice to have a matching Ninebark on the other side of the driveway as well, in front of the fence. My Diablo Ninebark has grown since this picture, but here is what it looks like in bloom:

A raised bed that covers the end of the driveway would break up the visual of the concrete going right up to the house. I wouldn't make the bed too narrow. If it is a bit wide and filled with plants it'll really stop the eye, look deliberate, and can have more planting options. Think vines in the back, maybe little evergreen shrubs in the middle, and some long blooming perennials in the front.

I like the idea of a planter under the window as well. I think I'd keep the planter pretty simple, to draw the eye over to your main planting to the right of the driveway. For year-long interest, you could try some ornamental grasses - lots to choose from and most look good left standing over winter. What is the room used for that used to be garage? Blocking headlights without blocking sunlight might be something to consider.

Thank you all!! I appreciate the suggestions! I think I'm going to go with a raised garden bed below the window and possibly a tall potted plant to the left of the window

You might also think about some sort of 'stop' for the parking area, leaving some concrete behind it for a walkway and to connect with the sidewalks on either side. A 6x6 laid flat, or elevated somehow. Cool driftwood if you are near water. If you have plenty of parking elsewhere (along your frontage?) you could even incorporate a couple planters beyond the 'stop' so it is not so obviously a prior driveway into garage.