Grown in a wide range of sizes, colors and shapes, flowers that prefer acidic conditions (pH below 7.0) often have striking flowers and lush, green foliage. They thrive in well-drained, moist soil and are sometimes evergreen, meaning they retain their foliage and color throughout the year, including winter. Tucked along a garden wall or lining a backyard patio, acidic plants create a showy garden display.
Royal azalea is a shrub with a moderate growth rate and need for acidic soil. Growing 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, royal azalea blooms have large pink blooms that emerge each spring to bring their aromatic scent to the garden. The foliage on royal azalea shrubs is purple in spring to turn green in summer. Fall brings a yellow tinge to the large leaves for a burst of color to the landscape. Royal azalea shrubs are ideal grown as a specimen shrub for their bright blooms. They require a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5 and require a shallow planting site because they are surface rooted plants. Royal azalea shrubs require full sun to part shade and well-drained, moist soils to thrive. Plant royal azaleas in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 5 to 8.
Crimson Candles Camellia
Crimson candles camellia is an evergreen shrub with a moderate growth rate and medium texture. Growing 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, crimson candles camellia shrubs have an upright form. They require acidic soils to thrive and flourish. Beginning in winter and early spring, the red buds on crimson candles camellia open to a pink flower to provide a splash of color to a winter landscape. The dark green, leather-like leaves grow 1-and-1/2 to 3 inches long with new growth emerging in bronze. Crimson candles camellia require full sun to partial shade and well-drained, moist soil. Plant in USDA zones 7 to 9.
Spreading wintergreen is an evergreen ground cover with a slow growth rate. Growing 3 to 5 inches tall, the creeping, mat form makes an ideal plant to grow among the garden or flanking a pathway for deep green color. The urn-shaped flowers on spreading wintergreen are pink to white and emerge in spring. The shiny, leather-like leaves grow 2 inches long to turn purple in the fall. New growth on spreading wintergreen is light green with a wine tinge. Spreading wintergreen requires light to moderate shade and acidic soil that is moist and nutrient-laden, and does not tolerate sandy soil. Plant in USDA zones 3 to 7.