Soil type - testing?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

and it seems to vary across the garden, made more variable by the builders shifting topsoil and subsoil around when the house was built.

This is true for most gardens in anything other than very rural settings. Even more problematic is that where the soil has not been deep cultivated for some years, there can be a significant variation in ph between vertical levels as well as across horizontal locations. It's not unusual to get a wide range of results from a single garden and the value of testing is pretty dubious for most gardener's purposes.

The underlying geology is a good enough indicator of what the garden will or will not support, and in any case the Cranfield website provides info on the pedology, not just the underlying geology. Although some gardens will be on a geological boundary it's unlikey, unless it is a very large garden, that the two rock types will be identifiable in the soil and what will result is a combination of both sets of underlying rockforms, together with any superficial deposits - glacial clay etc. In fact north of Watford and west of Newport, virtually all lowland UK has soils derived from glacial deposits.

So unless anyone has very specific requirements, I'd suggest that soil ph testing is a waste of time and money. And personally I wouldn't plant any acid loving plants anywhere in Glocestershire - it's cruel to the plant, and pot growing requires peat which means that a fragile ecosystem is being dugup to grow a plant somewhere that it doesn't belong.

CM

[Hedera]

Our city soil is certainly not lime-free, unless your garden has had a load of topsoil on it from some other area. It does vary a bit in alkalinity, but you can dilute it with some ericaceous compost. Of course, testing will give you a positive result, but only on the bit you test! Have you got clay underlying, or gravel?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Hedera

It does vary a bit in alkalinity, but you can dilute it with some ericaceous compost.

Using ericaceous compost in a wildlife garden can be a pretty perverse action. There is one brand of peat free ericaceous mix on the market from the VitalEarth brand - but most ericacous composts are peat based. This means that to enable a garden plant to grow, you have to use a product that requires the destruction of some of the most fragile ecosystems in the UK and Ireland.

The amount of acid compost needed to change the ph of an alkaline soil so that it even reaches a neutral reading is at least 1:1, and the ultimate volume of root occupancy of Magnolia dianica is going to reached in excess of a cubic metre - that's over a ton of soil that needs mixing. Most garden compost is slightly alkaline, so although increasing the organic content of a soil does make it more attractive to most acid soil loving plants, adding garden compost to a soil will not usually increase acidity.

Apparently M dianica can be pot grown which would be the most pragmatic solution on an alkaline soil - though I'd urge anyone needing to get ericacous compost, to try and source the peat free version.

CM

[Jez]

Could Wabbers help out maybe with an alternative plant that Lauren would be just as happy with?

[Jez]

This Buddleia butterflybush was recommended recently, I think it looks stunning and wish I had room for! Google Image Result for http://www.nzplantpics.com/pics_shrubs/buddleja_x_weyeriana_butterfly_bush.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weigela

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Jez

Could Wabbers help out maybe with an alternative plant that Lauren would be just as happy with?

Getting a close match to M. dianica is pretty difficult (though a trawl through the RHS ornamental plant lists might throw something up). The required characteristics seem to be large shrub/small tree hieight 2metres+, summer flowering, with flowers large and scented.

The closest I could come to would be either (1) one of the Viburnums - although the flowers are individually small, they are held in clusters and can be quite 'showy' , many (though not all) are strongly scented and also have the benefit of autumn fruits. However beware some Viburnums are recommended for acid soils only. Or (2) Philadelphus, some forms of which come relatively close to the M. dianica characteristics without any concerns re:soil.

Of rather different form, but with scented flowers are the Pittosporums.

The BBC plant finder allows an advanced search on characteristics, so as long as one sets some desired characterisitics for a plant, it may be helpful in defining a likely species. BBC - Gardening: Plant Finder

CM

[citychick]

Thanks peeps. Im thinking about getting a viburnum. The one my mum has is gorgeous but they had run out in the garden centre so going to try somewhere else next weekend.

x

[Hedera]

May I suggest Viburnum Mariesii - mine is superb at the moment and insects love it. The leaves turn a lovely ruby red in autumn.