I just bought a condo in Burlington VT and would like to plant something a little more attractive in the greenbelt (the strip of land between the sidewalk and the street) than the weeds that are growing right now. There are two large trees in the belt now, so I'd need something that would be ok growing around roots without disturbing them since the trees are city property. I'd prefer perennials since I don't have a lot of extra money to buy annuals over and over again. I'd love to hear any suggestions! Thanks so much.

What kind of trees are currently planted? Generally these areas receive a fair amount of sun, as the parking strip trees are required to be smallish or high limbed to allow sufficient clearance for vehicles and parking. And because these tend to be high traffic areas also and can get a lot of abuse, durable, low maintenance plants like groundcovers are best suited for this purpose. I've attached an appropriate link to help you choose.