Access & utility easements

We obtained an access and utility easement from the adjoining lot to put in a driveway it is listed on our Warrenty Deed. The drive does not take up the entire easement. Can I landscape (bushes & flowers) along the driveway within the easement. Who maintains the easement?

Thanks. We have obviously maintained our drive and the small remaining strip of grass for 6 years. We mow about 4 passes with a pushmower. The easement is 16'x 90' x 90' triangle with drive taking up all but 5'x 90'. The new property owner of the lot where the easement lies does not maintain the remainder of the lot. It is an unimproved lot adjoining their improved lot and not visible from their home. The grass has been as high as 40" and BOD has received several complaints and are not enforcing the covenants as they agree with property owner to leave it "natural." Planting some bushes/flowers would at least screen the unsightly lot from not only my view, but the main drive street traffic. Should we not even being mowing this? The way this reads, I shouldn't have even planted grass when we were finished with the drive. Suggestion?

The new property owner wants us to remove what is already there, some grass, small bushes, mulch and flowers in a 5'x 90' strip. We offered to continue mow the remaining property beyond as we did for the previous owner (he was absentee) because people thought it was our property; this owner declined, said he would maintain it. Hasn't for 3 years. Our county doesn't have a regulation either way; our association covenants only address access/utility easements for the association. Obviously, I don't want to remove landscaping unless I have to.

Kurt, I would not remove anything. The new owner can do what they want but should be made to comply with the Covenants. I'd bet they are in violation of the Covenants and probably a city or county ordinance regarding weeds over 6 to 12 inches high. Read your Covenants and demand your board enforce them.