I have several dozen towering pines in my yard and love them but due to the acidity of the soil and the filtered out sunlight, I can't even get a lawn to grow. Are there any species of flora and or vegetables that would thrive in these conditions? Have you had any success with them?
2007-01-14 13:47:07 · 16 answers · asked by frankhenrikson 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Some Perennials that do very well in Acid soil are:
Lupines, Butterfly Weed, Turtlehead, Snakeroot, Fringed Bleeding Heart, Foxglove, Gentian, Primroses, Trillium, Woodland Phiox, Virginia Bluebells, Coral Bells, Barrenwort, Marsh Marigolds, Lady Slippers and almost any kind of Hardy Ferns.
Some good Shrubs would be:
Junipers, Dwarf Cypress, Yews, Dwarf Spuce, Mugho Pine, Sweetbush, Dogwood, Mountain Laurel or even Blueberries.
Some really good Groundcovers are:
Winterberry, Wintergreen, Lilies of the Valley (my favorite!) or Bearberry.
For some fun you could even try:
Wax Begonias or Calla Lilies.
And last but not least, try growing some FOOD YOU CAN EAT under there!... LOL... Strawberries and Potatoes do awesome in Acid Soil!
Let us know how it turns out!
GOOD LUCK! :)
2007-01-14 14:12:43 · answer #1 · answered by Matty A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The needle drop from the pine needles makes the soil acidic. now and again so acidic that no longer some thing will improve. i'd attempt the soil with an inexpensive PH attempt from the nursery first to be sure what you're operating with first. per chance a touch lime (medical take care of acidic soil) will deliver it back to a more suitable impartial be sure and also you are able to improve grass if the trees are pruned severe sufficient to let grass to advance. Or in case you want it shady some thing like Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon) would improve. it may must be not difficulty-free because the pines are shallow rooted and also you may locate in case you dig round them there's a 'thicket' of roots surrounding the tree and puzzling transforming into for any plant. i'm trialling Acanthus Mollis (Bears breeches) at my position immediately lower than my cedrus deodar and they look to have survived the year. They have not been in lengthy sufficient to be sure in the experience that they are going to advance lush foliage so it truly is trial and mistake, yet would nicely be nicely worth a attempt if the soil isn't too acidic. Acidic loving flowers jointly with azalea would nicely be the reply in case you are able to keep the area moist and the inspiration competition isn't to undesirable.
2016-10-31 03:06:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very easy solution for your problem is to use planters. A large variety of plants can be grown in planters and you control the soil type. You can also control the amount of sunlight on them by moving them around. If you don't want to be moving them about all the time, you can just plant anything that likes shade. I grow roses, tomatoes,peas, beans and a large variety of flowers in planters. My soil is mostly a very wet heavy clay so I have resorted to planters. You can get many different types and they can be as attractive as the plants themselves.
2007-01-14 15:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by birdie_001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in the mountains with a lot of pines. Everywhere you look there are ferns. They thrive on the acidity. There are also a lot of lupine and pinks. They all die back for the winter but it just makes you appreciate it more when they are growing and blooming.
2007-01-14 16:20:48 · answer #4 · answered by mamapig_57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rhododendrons and azaleas will grow well in acidic soil. So will mosses (answerer #1 suggests) will grow well, and ALL weeds that we ALL hate. (but some have flowers)
But if you want flowers and beauty, stick with Rhododendrons, which bloom around April, and azaleas, which bloom all spring and into the summer months.
You have only to drive through North Carolina and Tennessee to see the unending pine forests, and the rhododendrons underneath them, in subdued light, adding beauty that attracts tourists from all the surrounding states in late spring.
2007-01-14 13:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by GOMEZ LOPEZ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As for acidity, you can put lime in the soil, remember not to much, as far as plants that could be determined by the area of the country you live in, as for us southerners , plants such as ferns, and other flower plants, also think about artificial grass, new kinds out , no mowing and great looking, no watering very very low maintenance.
2007-01-14 13:55:11 · answer #6 · answered by gimlost2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the real question is what zone are you in? I am going to venture and say that you are most likely in the lower 48 in the states and there are hundreds of things you can grow under those trees. Perennials: hostas. woodland shade plants: ferns, hellebores, jack in the pulpits. as far as shrubs: you can do hydrangeas and azaleas. there's a start. check out gardenweb.com forums for some other ideas and people who will share plants with you
2007-01-14 13:54:49 · answer #7 · answered by Bridget B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hostas, ladies slippers, ferns, azaleas, rhododendron, pipsissewa,mtn.laurel, hemlocks,rose of sharon, lettuce , chard,carrots, may all grow in acid soil, with some filtered sunlight. sunlight's the thing you need the most, so cut a couple of trees if you want veggies.
2007-01-14 14:47:15 · answer #8 · answered by geezer 51 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU CAN GROW JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. MOST ORNAMENTALS DO WELL IN ACIDIC SOIL. MICRO-NUTRIENTS ARE RELEASED FROM THE SOIL WHEN THE SOIL IS ACIDIC. MOST ALL WOODY ORNAMENTAL GROW WELL IN SOIL WITH A PH BETWEEN PH 5.5 TO 6.5. ONLY IF YOUR SOIL PH IS 4.5 AND LOWER YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS. SEND A SAMPLE OF YOUR SOIL TO THE COUNTY EXTENSION TO SEE IF LIME OR SULFUR IS NEEDED .
2007-01-15 12:52:37 · answer #9 · answered by RONALD D S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have ornamental grass and they thrive in acidic soil. Also, in the acidic soil, I have holly's...they love the soil.
2007-01-14 13:51:36 · answer #10 · answered by fade_this_rally 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋