Special situation plants address challenging areas that require special attention in every garden. Deep shade, damp soil, retaining walls, steep slopes, and difficult growing conditions often call for carefully selected plant material. At Details Landscape Art, we have spent more than thirty years designing and building gardens throughout Sonoma County, and we have learned that the right plant in the right place is often the key to success.
These special situation plants help solve some of the most common landscape challenges we encounter.
Special situation plants for water feature
Special Situation Plants for Deep Shade
Deep shade beneath large evergreen trees or on the north side of a home can be difficult to landscape. Fortunately, several plants thrive in these conditions.
Sarcococca ruscifolia
One of our favorite shade plants, sarcococca is an evergreen shrub with highly fragrant white flowers in January and February, followed by bright red berries. It is also deer resistant and performs beautifully in areas with little or no direct sunlight.
Aucuba japonica
Aucuba is perfect for brightening dark corners of the garden. The variegated forms, splashed with yellow or gold, provide year-round color where many other plants struggle.
Camellias
Both Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua are excellent shade shrubs. Their glossy evergreen foliage and spectacular blooms make them among the finest flowering plants for shady gardens.
Japanese Maple ‘Viridis’
Most Japanese maples appreciate afternoon shade, but we have found the green-leafed ‘Viridis’ variety to be especially tolerant of deeper shade conditions.
Acer palmated ‘Viridis’ is a special situation plant for deep shade
Special Situation Plants for Retaining Walls
Walls often benefit from plants that soften hard edges and spill gracefully over the side.
Rosemary ‘Prostrata’
This evergreen favorite cascades beautifully over walls and produces soft blue flowers. It is drought tolerant, fragrant, and extremely durable.
Special situation plant trails over a retaining wall
Manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet’
A California native groundcover with dark green foliage that naturally drapes over walls and slopes.
Lantana
Lantana spreads gracefully and provides colorful flowers throughout the warmer months. Purple varieties tend to be among the most reliable performers in Sonoma County.
Special Situation Plants as Lawn Alternatives
Many homeowners want the appearance of greenery without the maintenance and water requirements of a traditional lawn.
Myoporum parvifolium ‘Putah Creek’
One of our favorite groundcovers, Myoporum spreads aggressively, stays bright green throughout the year, and produces white flowers during the summer. It creates a soft carpet effect and works well on slopes and larger open areas.
Special Situation Plants for Seasonal Color
Sometimes a difficult area simply needs reliable color.
Impatiens
For shade gardens, few plants can match the flower power of impatiens. Available in a wide variety of colors, they bloom continuously from spring until the first frost and brighten even the darkest garden corners.
Special Situation Plants for Damp Soil
Poor drainage and wet areas can limit plant choices, but several excellent plants thrive in these conditions.
Juncus (Rush)
Rushes provide strong vertical texture and perform exceptionally well around ponds, drainage swales, and water features.
Society Garlic
Both the standard green form and the variegated ‘Silver Lace’ variety tolerate damp soil while producing spikes of lavender flowers throughout the summer.
Special situation plant ‘Society Garlic’ tolerates wet soil conditions
Hosta
Hostas are outstanding shade perennials with attractive foliage and excellent performance in moist soils.
Iris
Several iris varieties perform beautifully in damp conditions, including Japanese iris, Siberian iris, and other moisture-loving selections. Their elegant flowers provide striking seasonal color.
Solving Landscape Challenges with the Right Plants
One of the most important principles of successful landscape design is matching plants to their environment. Rather than fighting nature, we prefer to select plants that naturally thrive in the conditions available.
The result is a healthier garden, lower maintenance requirements, and a landscape that looks better year after year.
Special Situation Plants for Sonoma County Gardens
Every property contains unique challenges. Deep shade, wet soil, retaining walls, and difficult growing conditions do not need to be obstacles. With thoughtful plant selection, these areas can become some of the most attractive parts of the landscape.
At Details Landscape Art, we have been designing and building beautiful Sonoma County gardens since 1991. The right special situation plants can transform even the most challenging areas into successful and attractive garden features.