![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Here in New England our soils are quite acidic (soils with a pH below 7.0 is
considered acidic) in part due to the pine and oak forests. When the leaves and
needles of these trees break down the resulting organic matter raises the
acidity of the soil. This article lists and briefly describes some popular and
beautiful landscape plants that are suitable for gardens with acidic soil. This
list is not complete however as there are many other plants which grow well in
acid soil conditions. To find out if your soil is acid or alkaline, a soil test
is needed.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a low growing evergreen ornamental plant
with white, pink, or red flowers. Slightly moist soil required for good growth.
Zone 5
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is also a low growing plant which
prefers moist soil and partial shade. Leaves of this groundcover are evergreen. Bright red berries appear in fall. Zone 4
Azalea (Rhododendron sp.) is a very common garden shrub with and endless
number of varieties and colors. Azaleas bloom in
spring and prefer moist soil and partial shade required for growth. Zone 6
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is an evergreen shrub with grows well in seaside gardens. Their gray berries are
fragrant when crushed. Prefers full sun. Zone
5
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) produces edible, blue fruit which will attract birds. Red
fall color. Full sun or partial shade. Zone 4
Redvein Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanula) is a beautiful, shade tolerant
shrub which can reach 30 feet. Its white, drooping flowers bloom in spring.
Scarlet fall color. Prefers moist soil required for healthy growth. Zone 5
Fothergilla (Fothergilla major) can reach 10 feet and offers brilliant
yellow to scarlet fall color. Grows best in full sun or partial shade. Zone 5
Heath (Erica carnea) is a low growing evergreen with small, red or white flowers in early spring. Prefers partial shade and
protection from winter sun and wind. Zone 6
Junipers (Juniperus sp.) are needled evergreens with many cultivars
available in varying forms and heights. Grows in dry soils and full sun. Zone 3
Leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is a broadleaved semi-evergreen with
white flowers in early spring and bronze fall color. Prefers partial shade and
protect from winter sun and wind. Zone 5
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a great broadleaved evergreen.
Pink, white, or red spring flowers in spring. Grows best in partial shade. Needs
protection from winter sun and wind. Zone 5
Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica) is another broadleaved evergreen.
Its spring flowers are white. Grows in partial shade. Rhododendrons also prefers protect from winter
sun and wind. Zone 6
Rhododendron (Rhododendrons sp.) is a showy broadleaved evergreen with
large spring flowers which are available in a wide range of colors. Protect from
winter sun and wind. Zone 5
Silver-bell (Halesia carolina) is a small tree which grows to about 40
feet. Its white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in spring. Zone 5
Summer-sweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a great shade tolerant shrub with fragrant mid-summer flowers. Attractive fall
foliage. Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Zone 5
American Holly (llex opaca) is broadleaved evergreen with red fruit on
female plants. Protect from winter sun and wind. Requires well-drained soil.
Zone 6
Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana) forms large, fragrant, white flowers in
late June or July. Zone 5
Related Articles: Shade Gardens, Shade Perennials, Woodland Gardens