That’s a very odd list. Half those things grow happily on my limey soil. Only a few really insist on acidity. Blueberries, for instance, which look terrible here and must absolutely be grown in containers of ericaceous compost which is between 4 & 5. I experimented with a couple of bushes on the allotment. They're stunted, yellow and have yet to produce any fruit. They're right next to a highly productive row of raspberries which clearly haven't read that website. Don't suppose it was selling EC???

What colour are your local hydrangeas? Cornwall’s known for blue. If yours are blue you already have the right soil. They grow fine here but they're pink.

gg and floral

I have to admit I had real doubts as to the veracity of that web site - Website.

My reason to look this up was to do with Erica and Calluna, all of which are listed as ericaceous.

When my Cornish Hedge is built, in August, I would love to put lots of these along the top, with other plants such as Ulex gallii (Western gorse), Jasione montana (Sheeps-bit), Armeria maritima (Thrift) and Spergularia media (Greater Sea-spurrey), none of which, are listed as ericaceous.

All of these I have in readiness either as seeds, seedlings or potted plants.

Using one of those probe testers, all my soils are about pH 7.

IME, probe or meter type pH testers are rarely accurate (usually constant calibration issues).......I would use another means to test.

I agree, gg. I only ever take them as indicators. As Cornwall soils would not be alkaline, I am happy to accept this one's reading. If out, I would expect the error to be indicating a higher pH than actual.

I will try to locate a Litmus paper type tester, but they seem to be rarer than hens' teeth, for some reason.

An ebay trawl next.

LOL!! The default reading on the probes or meters always seems to be 7 (neutral) regardless of the actual pH. You might want to try testing it with something you know the pH of....like table vinegar or a baking soda solution.

Here in the US we have very simple soil pH testing kits (available at most nurseries and garden centers for a nominal fee) and as long as one uses distilled water (also a neutral pH) for the testing solution, they provide remarkably accurate readings.

Just a point of clarification. ”Ericaceous compost” is just a term used over here as accepted shorthand for an acidic soil mix. It isn't being used in the strict botanical sense ie that it is solely for Ericaceous plants. So the fact the list contains non-Ericaceae plants isn't the issue. That’s not the reason I disagree with the list. It’s simply wrong.

If you're building a traditional Cornish hedge out of granite and filled with your local soil it will probably be fine. How do heathers and camellias look in neighbouring gardens? I bet they're perfectly happy. And don’t forget to add Harebells.

I‘d love to see pictures.

We have the same thing here floral, except it is called 'acid planting mix'. And also not used solely for ericaceous plants either.

I hang my head in shame, floral. I've only been in a few weeks and haven't rearly been around looking at other gardens, in the immediate area, yet. Though, in the general area, I haven't noticed any heathers, but, yes, the Camellias look very robust.

The hedge will be as traditional as I can have it, with granite and fill, supplied by the waller. The only major difference is mine will only be approx. 3' rather than the traditional 5', in height. A full 5' hedge requires a minimum 5' wide base, which is a bit too large for the garden size.

Much check out Harebells, and add to the mix. Aren't they Scottish? Being 1/2 English, 1/2 Scottish & 1/2 Irish, I could happily include them. Before anybody asks, the maths is done by the Irish 1/2.

They're called Bluebells in Scotland, just for confusion. But you'll see them all over the place in Cornwall, especially on thin soils, cliff tops and moors. If you get seed make sure its British sourced. Imported seed isn't the same genetic stock. They grow equally happily on acid or chalk soil.

Your hedge sounds wonderful. Probably not cheap either.

p.s. Wall Pennywort on the shady side... although that might arrive by itself along with Maidenhair Spleenwort, if you're lucky. I just love those natural wall gardens.

Gathered some pennywort seed last week. Waiting to see if they come up.

I was getting a bit despondent with the Ulex gallii seed I had sown, then 2 days ago 11 broke surface. Whooppee!!

Sounds wonderful. I’m serious about those pictures. I‘d love to see the work in progress.

Watch this space.

I will.