How to Take Care of Photinia Soil

Photinias are evergreen flowering shrubs grown most commonly as hedges. Closely related to cotoneaster and hawthorn, photinia presents the same profuse flower show in the spring. Photinia foliage is ornamental as well, emerging red and turning glossy green as it ages. Photinias do not require much care or pruning. Although the plants tolerate alkaline soil, they flower better in slightly acidic soil. Photinias thrive in zones 7 through 9 in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones.

Things You'll Need

• Sulfur
• Measuring cup
• Ammonium sulfate

Instructions

1. Prepare the photinia planting bed with 10 lbs. of sulfur for every 100 square feet of soil. Mix it to a depth of 8 inches.

2. Fertilize the photinia in spring with 1/4 cup of ammonium sulfate. This nitrogen source helps maintain the soil's acidity. If you test the soil, aim for a pH of 6.5 or lower.

3. Water the photinia soil to keep it slightly moist at all times. Don't allow it to become soggy, but water until it has the moisture content of a well-wrung sponge.

References

• Royal Horticultural Society: Photinia
• University of Wisconsin Extension; Reducing Soil pH; Sherry Combs; 2007
• "Soil Fertility and Fertilizers"; Samuel L. Tisdale, et al.; 1993