Shrubs that will flourish on well drained acid soils

There is a range of impressive shrubs that will tolerant acid soils, but there is a select few shrubs that will only grow on acid soils. Many of these shrubs produce outstanding and vivid blossom make anyone visiting your garden incredibly jealous because they probably won’t be able to grow it on their bog standard soil. Another advantage of having an acid soil is that you will tend to get richer autumn colours.

Acid soils are often well drained, so always dig in plenty of compost into the planting pit prior to planting, also use surface compost mulch and water in new plants.


Click on an image or plant name to view the full plant profile
Click Image for Full ProfileLatin & Common NameType & FormFlowersFoliageEarmark
Rhus typhina - Sumach, RhusRhus typhina

Sumach, Rhus
Tree, Shrub, Container-friendly, Rounded - TreeRed flowers (Spring)Light Green foliage
Chaenomeles speciosa - Moerloosei - Japanese QuinceChaenomeles speciosa

'Moerloosei'

Japanese Quince
Shrub, Rounded - BushDark pink flowers (Spring)Medium Green foliage
Hydrangea arborescens - AnnabelleHydrangea arborescens

'Annabelle'
Shrub, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushWhite flowers (Summer)Medium Green foliage
Rhododendron oreodoxa - FargesiiRhododendron oreodoxa

'Fargesii'
Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushWhite flowers (Summer early)Medium Green foliage
Ribes speciosumRibes speciosumShrub, Hedging & Screening, Rounded - BushRed flowers (Spring, scented)Medium Green foliage
Cistus incanus - CreticusCistus incanus

'Creticus'
Shrub, Ground cover, Container-friendly, SpreadingDark pink flowers (Summer)Medium Green foliage
Embothrium lanceolatum - Norquinco - Chilean Fire BushEmbothrium lanceolatum

Norquinco

Chilean Fire Bush
Tree, Shrub, Red flowers (Summer early)Medium Green foliage
Leptospermum flavescens - Tea Tree, Manuka, LeptospermumLeptospermum flavescens

Tea Tree, Manuka, Leptospermum
Shrub, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushWhite flowers (Summer early)Medium Green foliage
Erica arborea - Alpina - Tree HeatherErica arborea

'Alpina'

Tree Heather
Shrub, Ground cover, Alpine, Rounded - BushWhite flowers (Summer early)Medium Green foliage


You can use our plant-finder to find plants that match your garden conditions exactly, for example Shrubs that will flourish on well drained acid soils - click to give it a try!

Have you seen our other plant top ten recommendations?

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