Thanks for the info Wakeshine, to be fair the only reason I was thinking of having a hydrangea is that my dad is growing me one but I'm sure I can find somewhere else for it or even put it in a big pot. I like the idea of having lilies, my partner loves them. I suppose the problem is that there is that many plants and flowers out there each with good points and bad and to chose around 6-8 of the hundreds is a hard decision. So far I'm thinking lilies (White), fuchsia (Pink), Azaleas (orange)
Don't get me wrong! I do think hydrangeas are nice - I just remember thinking one of my mum's hydrangeas was dying over the winter because of all the twigs, but then it came to life by summer. That was just my newness to gardening. So don't right it off for the corner flower bed Snowy, especially if you have one growing. Listen to Verdun, he knows what he's talking about! I do have one in a container called 'Blaumeise Teller Blue', it's wonderful.
White lilies are beautiful - I have one, it came by mistake in my set of a burgundy called Mambo. I'll send you a picture - I think it might be Casa Blanca. Even though it's an Oriental lily, it still grew in my non-ericacious soil . But you need to check the ph as Verdun says...apart from diamond red, some of our rhodedendrons and azaleas either don't flower or didn't establish properly presumably because our soil is not ericaceous.
thanks again for the input, I've had a thought and been to a garden centre and all though they didn't have what I was looking for I've picked up some ideas. the area is actually bigger than what I thought after measuring it I've found it to be 3mtr X 5.3mtr and I'm thinking of having mixed heurchers in the middle with different colour heathers around them. Having some rhodendrons in each corner and some hosts whirlwinds. Also thinking of veronica spicata (blue, red, white and pink) and some Pulmonata single hurst and tricystis lily. And the bonus is all these plants like acid so im going to check the ph of the soil and make it more acidic if needed. so a variety of colours and blooming times. I've done a sketch of my plan below. Will have some of the other suggestions (bigger dudes) else where in the garden when I get round to it. What do you think of the below plan? Too much or just right
I've done a PH test of the soil using litmus paper and it looks to be neutral, was hoping it to be more acidic (around 6) but there you go. Prior to buying any plants which is more likely going to be after winter now what should or could I do in order to make the soil more acidic? Am I best to mix something into the soil now to increase its acidity or is it enough to use a bit ericaceous compost in the hole when planting the shrub/plant (would this work long term?).
Changing the pH of your ground will always be a temporary measure and it will revert to its natural pH over time. However, most things will grow fine in neutral soil, even many acid-loving plants. In my opinion it is much better to buy plants which suit your conditions rather than trying to artificially change those conditions.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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Thanks for the info Wakeshine, to be fair the only reason I was thinking of having a hydrangea is that my dad is growing me one but I'm sure I can find somewhere else for it or even put it in a big pot. I like the idea of having lilies, my partner loves them. I suppose the problem is that there is that many plants and flowers out there each with good points and bad and to chose around 6-8 of the hundreds is a hard decision. So far I'm thinking lilies (White), fuchsia (Pink), Azaleas (orange)
Don't get me wrong! I do think hydrangeas are nice - I just remember thinking one of my mum's hydrangeas was dying over the winter because of all the twigs, but then it came to life by summer. That was just my newness to gardening. So don't right it off for the corner flower bed Snowy, especially if you have one growing. Listen to Verdun, he knows what he's talking about! I do have one in a container called 'Blaumeise Teller Blue', it's wonderful.
White lilies are beautiful - I have one, it came by mistake in my set of a burgundy called Mambo. I'll send you a picture - I think it might be Casa Blanca. Even though it's an Oriental lily, it still grew in my non-ericacious soil
. But you need to check the ph as Verdun says...apart from diamond red, some of our rhodedendrons and azaleas either don't flower or didn't establish properly presumably because our soil is not ericaceous.
Last edited: 21 September 2016 17:39:52
thanks again for the input, I've had a thought and been to a garden centre and all though they didn't have what I was looking for I've picked up some ideas. the area is actually bigger than what I thought after measuring it I've found it to be 3mtr X 5.3mtr and I'm thinking of having mixed heurchers in the middle with different colour heathers around them. Having some rhodendrons in each corner and some hosts whirlwinds. Also thinking of veronica spicata (blue, red, white and pink) and some Pulmonata single hurst and tricystis lily. And the bonus is all these plants like acid so im going to check the ph of the soil and make it more acidic if needed. so a variety of colours and blooming times. I've done a sketch of my plan below. Will have some of the other suggestions (bigger dudes) else where in the garden when I get round to it. What do you think of the below plan? Too much or just right
I've done a PH test of the soil using litmus paper and it looks to be neutral, was hoping it to be more acidic (around 6) but there you go. Prior to buying any plants which is more likely going to be after winter now what should or could I do in order to make the soil more acidic? Am I best to mix something into the soil now to increase its acidity or is it enough to use a bit ericaceous compost in the hole when planting the shrub/plant (would this work long term?).
Changing the pH of your ground will always be a temporary measure and it will revert to its natural pH over time. However, most things will grow fine in neutral soil, even many acid-loving plants. In my opinion it is much better to buy plants which suit your conditions rather than trying to artificially change those conditions.