As the Baby Boomer generation ages, its possible that well see a shift in how residential areas are made accessible. Its not hard to imagine McMansions with wide, elaborately decorated granite wheel chair ramps. These design features could add a sense of sweeping majesty to a home while making it easier for friends and family members on wheels to make a grand entrance.
Right now, most ramps are tacked on to a house as an afterthought. They provide necessary functionality but arent all that attractive. Thats why YardShare contributor AZ_Jamie is asking for help in concealing a wheelchair ramp so its not visible from the street.
The trick here is to make sure the landscaping doesnt crowd the ramp but still offers adequate coverage. Its also got to hide the ramp all year not just during the spring and summer. An evergreen hedge is one option, but its not the most imaginative choice. A blend of hardscaping and landscaping is a better idea.
Why not build or buy a sturdy trellis with a nice frame? Something prefab like this (but slightly larger), would be the easiest to install:
The trellis itself creates a screen that breaks up the outline of the ramp even before vines start filling in the gaps. The structure should be placed at least a foot away from the ramp railing so vegetation doesnt spill over into the aisle. The garden box in front of this trellis provides one step down to make the visual transition from the trellis to the ground less abrupt.
Adding a small garden bed in front of the trellis box and extending it along the perimeter of the pathway up to the ramp would complete this area. The existing shrub by the driveway could be pulled and one added near the corner post (the one with the gutter downspout) instead for better coverage and better flow. To keep from flooding the new bush, an extension can be added to the downspout to divert water away and into the yard.