by Debra Macapagal

Created on: January 06, 2009   Last Updated: May 27, 2011

All plants have certain requirements in order to survive. Soil type, light and moisture content are the three requirements needed most.

The best indicator of acidic soil is the types of trees growing in the area. Typically, acidic soil can be found near trees such as, pines, cedars and spruces.

If there are not trees on the property, and soil type is unknown, it is wise to purchase a PH soil test kit. These kits can be inexpensive and easily found at your local garden centre. The kit will determine the ph level of soil the yard, which will indicate if the soil is acidic and how acidic it is.

Once the acidity of the soil is known, plant selection becomes a lot easier. Plants will still need to be selected according to light requirement and moisture content.

Plants that are native to your region would be best suited for your garden as they have adapted to the environmental conditions of your area over hundreds sometimes thousands of years. Due to development and clearing of shorelines many of these plants are becoming rare; therefore adding them to your garden is an excellent way to preserve your native fauna.

There are many interesting native plant species available to thrive in acidic condition.

Trees & Shrubs

Balsam Fir Abies balsamea is a beautiful tree that is often used as Christmas trees because of its lovely smell. This tree would do best in medium to wet soil with PH of 5.1-6.0.

Tamarack Larix laricina is another beautiful tree that turns yellow in the winter. It is very tolerant of all types of soils especially acidic types. It does well around balsam firs, spruces, and pines.

Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida has beautiful floral display and would look nice in anyone's yard. The PH requirement for this shrub is 5.1 to 6.0

Wildflowers

Trout Lily Erythronium americanum is a delicate woodland flower that is becoming increasingly rare due to development. It has a pretty yellow flower that comes up in the early spring. Its soil requirements range from a PH of 5.1 to 7.5

Pink Lady's Slipper Cypripedium acaule and Yellow Lady's Slipper Cypripedium calceolus both are rare, and would look stunning in a garden. They require the soil with a high PH level of 4.5 to 5.1.

White Trillium Trillium grandiflorum and Red Trillium Trillium erectum require soil PH levels range from 5.6 to 6.5

Bunchberry Cornus canadensis is a great ground cover for a garden and prefers mildly acidic soil 6.1 to 6.5.

Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopterisare and a variety of other ferns require acidic soil. They make

Canada Anemone Anemone Canadensis and Fireweed Epilobium Angustifolium are other native plants that can be added to a garden that require mild acidic conditions.

These are just some of the best plants to use in acidic conditions when planted according to their other requirements as well.

Native plants for acidic soils can be found from a Native Plant Nursery or ask the local garden centre to supply the plants needed for the garden.

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