Plant nutrients are greatly affected by soil pH. Sandy soil tends to be more acidic and has lower levels of essential nutrients. With a pH of 4-5, it contains a high concentration of soluble Fe, Mn, and Al, which can be toxic to some plants. If you want to make soil more acidic for acid-loving plants, add vinegar, tea leaves, coffee grounds, aluminum sulfate, or iron sulfate. Whereas, if your soil is too acidic, add limestone, which is called liming.
There are some plants that are best for acidic soil:
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): Bleeding Heart can withstand cold weather. It loves humus-rich soil that is moist and well-drained with rich organic matter. Bleeding Heart prefers partial sunlight. It produces fabulous heart-shaped blooms.
Azalea: Azalea is a beautiful flower that blooms in spring with vibrant colors of pink, white, and red. The funnel-shaped fragrant flowers belong to the Rhododendron genus. It grows well in shady locations. Honeybee pollinators love this plant.
Japanese Pachysandra: It is a shrubby evergreen foliage plant that spreads via underground runners. Japanese Pachysandra is a perennial plant which is used as ground cover. They love part shade to full shade and are great for banks as well as slopes.
Hydrangea: Hydrangeas are blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. However, this is not the case for oakleaf hydrangeas. Oakleaf hydrangeas always stay white in acidic soil. They love shade to partial sun and are water-loving plants.
Daffodils: Daffodils are acid-loving plants. They are very attractive with a delightful fragrance. They have trumpet-like flowers with yellow or white petals. Daffodils like full sun, although they will grow in partial shade.
Nasturtium: Nasturtiums prefer full sun. Their flowers can be eaten raw and fresh. Flowers are yellow, orange, and red in color. Leaves are round. Nasturtiums are grown as annual plants. They are popular for their attractive flowers and foliage.
Magnolia: In acidic soil, all magnolias will thrive. Early in the spring, Magnolia x veitchii’s pink, chalice-shaped flowers emerge on bare branches. Young leaves have a hint of purple, and as they get older, they turn green. Grow it in neutral to acidic, well-drained soil, and in partial or full shade.
Marigold: Marigold is an annual flower that blooms in winter. They are bright orange, yellow, and red in color. Marigold is a low-maintenance plant. It should be planted in well-drained soil with proper sunlight. It also helps deter mosquitoes from the garden.
Camellia: Camellia produces rose-like flowers. There are different colors of camellias. Camellias are grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas. They thrive best in acidic soil. The evergreen perennial remains green all year. Camellia can withstand cold weather.
Begonia: Begonia is a shade-friendly plant. It is known for its colorful blooms. Begonias are low-maintenance plants that are easy to grow in containers or gardens. You should choose well-drained soil when planting them.
Blue Ageratum: Blue Ageratum can survive in cooler temperatures. It prefers moist but well-drained soil. It is an annual flower. This herbaceous flowering plant has green ovate leaves and clusters of fluffy light blue-purple flowers.
Bunchberry: It is a very cute flower. Leaves are green, and flowers are white in color. Bunchberry is a low-growing plant that grows as ground cover. Its flowers appear in late spring, and bright red berries appear in summer.
Bilberries: Bilberry is an acid-loving shrub. It is a low-growing deciduous shrub that produces bell-shaped flowers and misty purple berries. Typically, bilberries flower from April to June, but the exact time depends on altitude and exposure.
Rose: Roses are the most popular flower for its scent. It is a woody perennial plant that has over three hundred species. Rose is also an acid-loving perennial shrub. They typically bloom from late spring to early summer, but it depends on the type of rose and the climate.
Hibiscus: Hibiscus flowering time depends on its species and climate. Hardy hibiscus blooms from mid-summer to fall, and tropical hibiscus blooms from spring through late fall. It is an acid-loving plant that prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Heath: Heath is an evergreen shrub found mainly on infertile acidic soil. It is a low-growing plant, and some are shrubs or trees. From late winter to early spring, their tubular flowers bloom in a range of colors, including white, pink, and purple.
Viburnum Bushes: Viburnum Bush is a fast-growing perennial shrub. They can be used as a hedge, ground cover, and more. Viburnum Bushes thrive in full sun to partial shade. There are diverse varieties of Viburnum available.
