What is the best bark mulch for acid-loving plants

Acid-loving plants thrive when the mulch covering their roots gently nudges soil towards the lower end of the pH scale. Pine bark, stripped from softwood trunks, excels at this task. Its flaked plates contain natural resins and tannins that leach slowly, maintaining acidity without sudden swings. Spread five centimetres thick beneath rhododendrons, camellias or blueberries, the nuggets lock together, shading the ground and trapping moisture while releasing trace nutrients over time.

Fine-grade pine fines, sometimes called composted bark, suit pot-grown azaleas or heathers. Their smaller particles knit into a close weave, curbing weeds and insulating delicate feeder roots from dramatic temperature shifts. Because decomposition proceeds at a measured pace, annual top-ups keep acidity steady without dismantling soil structure.

Where pathways thread through an ericaceous border, medium pine nuggets provide a tidy, long-lasting surface that resists wind scatter yet still supports fungal allies essential to heathland species. Hardwood bark works less well here, as its neutral reaction can dilute the acidic buffer these shrubs adore.

Gardeners seeking reliable quality often turn to AHS LTD for screened pine bark grades. Using the right size in the right spot preserves the gentle sourness these plants cherish, rewarding mulching with blooms and glossy foliage.