Ericaceous (lime-hating) plants.

Ericaceous (lime-hating) plants | LoveTheGarden.com:
"Ericaceous plants and other acid lovers

Plants, like rhododendrons, are classed as ericaceous. Others are acid loving and prefer to grow in an acidic soil.

Ericaceous

Azalea, Blueberry, Camellia, Calluna, Enkianthus, Gaultheria, Kalmia, Pieris, Rhododendron.

Acid-loving

Acer (Japanese maple), Magnolia (except M. x loebneri and M. stellata), Raspberries, Skimmia."

Pests and Diseases

Ericaceous plants are rarely troubled by pests and diseases except for aphids (green fly) which distort the young growths: these should be controlled either with a systemic insecticide or regular treatments with a proprietary soap treatment. Mildew, if it occurs, is best controlled using a systemic fungicide.

Sometimes, the roots and underground stems may be nibbled by vine weevil grubs. The adult weevils leave irregular-shaped notches in the leaf margins during the summer while the white legless grubs are likely to be found among the roots which they eat, causing the plants to wilt in severe cases. “Provado Vine Weevil Killer” is an effective control for plants in containers.

If lime is present in the soil or compost, the plants will suffer from iron deficiency: the usual symptoms are ‘yellowing’ of the leaves and very slow rate of growth. Treat with a solution of sequestered iron.

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