Dictionary

ericaceous en · ADJ

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin erīcāceus.

Meanings

1. Of or pertaining to the heath family (Ericaceae).
2. (especially, of a plant) Acid-loving, thriving in acidic conditions.
   • 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. 1975, Joan Lee Faust, Lisa Oldenburg, The New York times book of indoor & outdoor gardening questions, →ISBN:
   • Ericaceous plants include camellias, hollies, hydrangeas, and maples as well as members of the Ericaceae.
   • Soil acidity is important if you want to grow ericaceous (acid-loving) plants such as Pieris, Camellia, or Rhododendron. 2009, Chris Young, RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design, →ISBN, page 74:
   • 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. 1999, Steve Bradley, Alan Titchmarsh, Ground Force Weekend Workbook, →ISBN, page 103:
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. 2004, John Mason, Nursery Management, →ISBN, page 144:
   • If your soil is alkaline, simply grow acid-lovers in containers of ericaceous (acid) potting compost. 2013, Simon Akeroyd, Allotment Handbook, →ISBN:
   • 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. 2009, John Harrison, The Essential Allotment Guide: How to Get the Best out of Your Plot, →ISBN:

Forms

Relateds

calcifuge

Synonyms

calcifugal (acid-loving) · calcifugous (acid-loving)