Abstract In the present contribution, a numerical simulation of the flow over idealized aquatic canopy patches is presented. These patches consist of flexible blades interacting with the surrounding flow. The physical parameters governing the flow, the characteristics of the blades and their positioning within the vegetation patches are identical to a previously studied homogeneous scenario where the monami phenomenon occurs. A recently developed own numerical method capable of representing such a situation is used to generate high resolution data for the turbulent flow and the motion of the individual structures. Analysis is carried out in comparison with the homogeneous reference case. It is found that the clearance between the patches introduces substantial streamwise variation in the statistical quantities of this turbulent flow.