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Growing Acid-Loving Plants in Montana
Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Blueberries
Each of these are acid-loving plants that will do
well in Montana, when correct conditions are provided.
Azaleas and rhododendrons are highly desired for their
showy, colorful blossoms while blueberries are grown for
their flavorful fruit. Care should be taken to ensure
that you select cultivars that are adapted to your area |
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Site selection and planting
The ability to grow any acid-loving plant depends
greatly on the site selection and preparation. |
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Soil Requirements
Because of their shallow, fibrous root systems, azaleas,
rhododendrons and blueberries require a soil that is
uniformly moist, but not saturated. Organic soils are
preferred while heavy, poorly drained soils should be
avoided. Maintaining a uniform moisture supply can be
accomplished with irrigation and/or mulching. Heavy,
poorly drained soils will result in loss of plants to
root rot. |
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Required pH level
In addition to the physical soil requirement azaleas,
rhododendrons and blueberries require an acid soil with
the pH in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 for best results.
Soils that are more alkaline than the 5.5 will result in
the plants not growing as well and becoming yellowish
and more subject to winter injury. If your soil is too
alkaline that addition of acid peat, sulfur or iron
sulfate can lower the pH. |
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Planting
When planting it is important not to plant too deep.
Roots of these acid-loving plants tend to be in the
upper 4 to 6 inches of soil and need to be near the
surface for aeration. To plant, dig a shallow hole deep
enough to plant the top of the root ball at or slightly
above the existing soil. Backfill around the plant with
acid peat or a mixture of acid peat and the existing
soil. |
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Mulching
Mulching with acid peat, wood chips, sawdust, pine
needles or similar materials to a depth of 3 to 5 inches
is beneficial for controlling weeds, retaining moisture
and adding organic matter. In addition, mulching will
eliminate the need for cultivation which can cause
injury to the shallow root systems. When using a sawdust
mulch it is necessary to replace the nitrogen lost in
the decomposition process by fertilizing with a high
nitrogen fertilizer. |
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Fertilizing
Once planted, azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries
benefit from the application of acid-forming
fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate, to maintain soil
acidity and supply nutrients. Specially formulated
fertilizers for acid-loving plants are also available
and will be of great benefit. Fertilizers are best
applied in the spring or early summer. In Montana there
are no serious or common diseases or insect pests.
Powdery mildew can sometimes cause azaleas to be
unsightly in fall but it is seldom worth controlling
with sprays. A bigger problem can be the damage caused
by rabbits, field mice and other rodents during winter.
A cylinder of hardware cloth around the trunk will help
to prevent any damage.
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 Ranunculus
Radiant |
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 Peony
Bashful |
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 Iris
My compliments |
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