Re: Acid-loving plants
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Acid-loving plants
- From: G*
- Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 08:52:05 -0400
- References:
Hello Bobbi,
You have been here for a visit or two. I grow much of what you mention below.
many of the shrubs you mention do not require a strongly acidic soil. I have
fothergilla in two different locations with no thought to acidic soil. Same with
heath and heather.. just work in lots of composted hardwood mulch to loosen the
soil and add moisture retention for the hot months. Incidentally, using heath
under deciduous trees will work. The winter and early spring bloomers get plenty
of light while the trees are bare in winter.
My rhodies, azaleas and mountain laurels so get extra attention to acidic. I
mix about 60% pine bark mini-chips into the soil before planting and mulch with
more of the same the first year. After that is chopped leaves.
Blueberries I would not try in a shady position and they do require the
constant extra attention to soil acidic.
Don't forget to add Sourwood as a small tree... lovely all four seasons.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Bobbi Diehl <diehlr@INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: [SG] Acid-loving plants
> Can anyone help with instructions on preparing a shadegarden dedicated to
> acid-loving plants?
>
> The house we recently bought has a rather large yard with some good trees
> and sufficient space for specialized gardens. On the north side of a row
> of huge arborvitaes that run along the back of the property, my husband
> wants to make an "acid garden". This would consist of a Carolina
> silverbell tree, various azaleas and rhododendrons, a fothergilla--maybe a
> few heaths and heathers if they can tolerate the amount of shade that is
> there, and maybe blueberry bushes, unless they need more sun. What else?
> I'm sure there are other plants that would be happy in this type of
> environment and would love to have suggestions. Trees, shrubs, even
> acid-loving annuals and herbaceous perennials would be possibilities. I
> know that hostas tend to be acid lovers. Are there hosta CVs that would
> particularly like this type of environment?
>
> The area is higher than the house, gently sloping down, and is currently
> lawn and under that, yellow clay which is probably mildly alkaline. (And
> yes, I do intend to have the soil tested just to confirm my hunch about
> the pH.) We propose stripping off the sod and adding topsoil, amending it
> to increase the acidity. We'd work in some pine bark mulch, copper
> sulphate, maybe Starbucks coffee grounds, whatever, to lower the pH. The
> idea would be that with the soil pretty much adjusted, we wouldn't need to
> keep watering with Mir-Acid and such. Is this a viable idea? Has anyone
> else succeeded with this type of garden? Thanks!
>
>
> Bobbi Diehl
> Bloomington, IN
> zone 5/6
