Problem-Solving Plants
Problem-Solving Plants
An unsightly fence, reflected heat, hungry deer and soggy soil… some of these problems may sound familiar to you. Whatever your garden challenge, we have your best botanical solution!
Suggestions for Problem-Solving Plants that Earn Their Keep in the Garden
1. Erosion Control
Plant perennials and shrubs with fibrous root systems to mitigate soil erosion and stabilize slopes.
Perennials & Groundcovers
- Blue Shore Juniper (Juniperus conferta)
- California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)
- Streibs Findling Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster ‘Streib’s Findling’)
- Myoporum (Myoporum parvifolium)
- Sage (Salvia spp.)
Shrubs
- California Wild Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)
- Dwarf Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
- Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)
- Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
- Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
Plants for Erosion Control
2. Screening Shrubs and Vines
Choose evergreen shrubs or vines to create a lush green barrier all year long.
Vines
- Bower Vine (Pandorea jasminoides)
- Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
- Potato Vine (Solanum jasminoides)
- Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Shrubs
- Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
- Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
- Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana)
- Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
Star Jasmine
3. Cold Hardy
These plants don’t mind when temperatures drop to -15°F.
Perennials
- Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’)
- Bugleweed (Ajuga spp.)
- Meadowsweet (Astilbe spp.)
- Moonbeam Coreopsis (Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’)
- Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia)
Shrubs
- Flower Carpet Rose (Rosa ‘Flower Carpet’)
- Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)
- Lilac (Syringia spp.)
- Oriental Juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’)
- Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’)
Winter Garden
4. Heat Tolerant
These plants are sturdy enough for south-west exposure and reflected heat from hardscapes.
Perennials
- California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)
- Gazania (Gazania spp.)
- Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
- Lantana (Lantana spp.)
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Shrubs
- Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Red Bird of Paradise (Ceasalpinia pulcherrima)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)
- Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Agastache ‘Apricot Nectar’
5. Deer Resistant
Plants which have rough texture or strong flavor are generally less appealing to deer.
Perennials
- Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
- Coneflower (Echinacea spp. )
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp.)
- Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Shrubs
- Daphne (Daphne odora)
- Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub (Pieris spp.)
- Rockrose (Cistus spp.)
- Oregon Grape (Mahonia spp.)
- Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)
Daphne
6. Planting Under Oaks
Choose water-wise plants and place them sparingly, starting at least 10 feet away from the trunk.
- Aeonium (Aeonium spp.)
- CA Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
- CA Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. rubescens)
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
- Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)
- Farewell-To-Spring (Clarkia amoena)
- Evergreen Currant (Ribes viburnifolium)
- Monkey Flower (Mimulus spp.)
- Rock Purslane (Calandrinia spectabilis)
- Thyme (Thymus spp.)
- Yerba Buena (Satureja douglasii)
California Blue-Eyed Grass
7. Poor Drainage
Here are some plants which don’t mind consistently moist soil.
- Canna (Canna Tropicanna® Series)
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Chameleon Plant (Hottuynia cordata)
- Dinosaur Food (Gunnera tinctoria)
- Horsetail Reed (Equisetum hymale)
- Ogon Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’)
- Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
- Rush (Juncus spp.)
- Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
California Blue-Eyed Grass
