Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001624
11/12/99
Ericaceous Shrubs
Ericaceous shrubs require an acid soil. This includes
azalea, rhododendron, pieris and most of the flowering
broad-leaved evergreens. If the soil is not sufficiently
acid the plants are unable to absorb iron. Symptoms of
iron deficiency are yellow leaves (Vis. 2) with green veins.
When severe, the leaves are yellow (Vis. 1) with brown
margins. The symptoms can be alleviated by spraying the
plant with iron chelate. Apply sulfur or aluminum sulfate
to the soil to increase soil acidity. Use of iron chelate
gives relatively quick but temporary relief. Acidifying the
soil is the best solution. Where soils are not acid, use
other plants rather than try to change the soil pH.
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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