Acid-loving plants require rich, organic soil to grow and
produce healthy-looking plants that live up to their full
potential. Acidic soils tend to occur in moist climates,
although one of the best ways to know if your soil offers enough
acidity requires taking a soil test to determine the pH balance.
For gardeners who need to improve their soil, a mix of Canadian
peat moss, soil and sand works well to give the planting area
the right acidity. When it comes to choosing from a variety of
acid-loving plants, rhododendrons fit the bill. The genus
Rhododendron, consisting of both rhododendrons and azaleas,
features more than 1,000 species of plants. Rhododendrons come
in all sizes, shapes and blossom colors, with most of the plants
blooming in late winter to early summer. Most rhododendrons
thrive in moist, acidic soil where they receive dappled sun to
full shade. The plants require protection from drying winds.
Since flower buds start appearing months before actually
blooming, some of the early-blooming rhododen