ericaceous

adj

1. Of or pertaining to the heath family (Ericaceae).
2. (especially)Acid-loving, thriving in acidic conditions.

   “Ericaceous plants include camellias, hollies, hydrangeas, and maples as well as members of the Ericaceae.”

   “Ralph E. Martin, a New Jersey engineer and gardener, concurs that coffee grounds for general garden and lawn use are too acid. He recommends small quantities for ericaceous (acid-loving) ornamentals.”

   “Many people long to grow some of these beautiful ericaceous (acid-loving) plants, but think they can't because they don't have the appropriate soil.”

   “Soil acidity is important if you want to grow ericaceous (acid-loving) plants such as Pieris, Camellia, or Rhododendron.”

3. acidic, acid-based

   “Camellias thrive when fed with an ericaceous fertiliser.”

   “Acid-loving plants such as camellias, heathers, azaleas and rhododendrons are best planted in an ericaceous (acid) potting mix.”

   “Most fruits like a soil that is slightly acid to neutral 6–7 pH. These moorland plants, however, like an ericaceous (acid) soil with a pH more towards 5.”

   “If your soil is alkaline, simply grow acid-lovers in containers of ericaceous (acid) potting compost.”