Plants in 'Shrubs requiring acid soil' scheme

This species of heather flowers in winter and late spring, and forms a dense mound up to 30 cms high and 60 cms wide. Heathers are good, low-maintenance groundcover plants for well-drained, peaty or acidic soil, and can be planted in clumps of 3 -4 plants per square metre. This variety has red flowers, fading to pink. 1.5 litre container.

A white-flowering heather which flowers in winter and late spring. It forms a dense mound up to 40 cms high and 70 cms wide. Heathers are good, low-maintenance groundcover plants for well-drained, peaty or acidic soil, and can be planted in clumps of 3 - 4 plants per square metre. Once established they can cope with short periods of dryness or waterlogging. 1.5L container.

An exquisite medium-sized evergreen shrub with delicate pink flowers. Eucryphias are small to medium sized evergreen shrubs and small trees native to moist woodlands in Chile and South Australia. They grow well in many parts of Ireland, and seeing them in bloom in gardens such as Mount Usher in Ashford, Co Wicklow, is a real treat.They have cup or saucer-shaped flowers in summer and autumn, and prefer well-drained, moist acidic soil, shaded roots but upper parts in the sun. They require some shelter from drying winds, and are ideal for a  woodland garden. 'Pink Cloud' has saucer-shaped, pendulous pale pink fading to white flowers in June and July. Height to 8 m, spread to 4 m. Suitable for coastal regions without severe frosts. Grown in Mount Congreve, Co Waterford. 3L container.

Eucryphias are small to medium sized evergreen shrubs and small trees native to moist woodlands in Chile and South Australia. They have large cup or saucer-shaped fragrant white flowers in summer and autumn, and prefer well-drained, moist acidic soil, shaded roots but upper parts in the sun. They require shelter from cold drying winds, and are ideal for a sheltered woodland garden. 'Rostrevor' is a more compact form, with saucer-shaped flowers in early to mid-summer. Height to 8 m, spread to 4 m. Plants are hardy in coastal counties where they are looking esxcellent after some very severe winters! Grown in Mount Congreve, Co Waterford. 3L container.

A Chinese shrub with beautiful papery white flowers in early summer. Exochorda can grow to 200 cms, with a slightly wider spread. It requires a sheltered spot with dappled shade, and protection from cold east winds and late frosts - by the edge of mature trees or in a mature garden is ideal. Prefers acidic soil. 2L container.

A most useful and interesting evergreen shrub, with masses of red flowers in early summer. An evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves (often mistaken for Rosemary) and small, bright red flowers, borne in spring and summer, and sporadically throughout the year. Best in well-drained soil, including poor soil and soil with low fertility. They are tolerant of coastal conditions and also tolerant of the colder temperatures of inland Ireland. They can be lightly pruned after flowering which will keep them compact. Suitable for, or as part of, an informal garden hedge. Can grow to a height and spread of around 150 cms. 3L container.

An excellent magnolia for the smaller garden. This pretty magnolia has white, star-shaped flowers in spring, before the leaves emerge. This compact, bushy, deciduous shrub does well in most soils, but like all magnolias thrives in a slightly acidic soil with some moisture while establishing. Pleasantly but subtly scented when in bloom. It is an ideal magnolia for the smaller garden. Magnolias are best when if pruned only if and when necessary, and by an expert hand. If a branch is in your way, remove it completely at the main stem. 30-40 cms plants in a 2 litre container.