Now 100% Organic

Whether you use organics or conventional methods to fertilizer your azaleas, rhododendrons and other acid loving plants, you will find your plants will love Espoma’s Holly-tone (4-6-4).

Espoma’s Holly-tone is a granular fertilizer made from a proprietary blend of finest natural organics fortified with inorganics. This unique blend provides the proper nutrients and soil environment necessary for acid loving plants. Holly-tone breaksdown gradually, which is important to provide a safe, long lasting food reservior that can be used by the plant throughout its growing seasons. This will strength both the plant’s development and promote better blooms.

Holly-tone comes in 5lb, 20lb and 40lb bags. You can use Holly-tone when planting, and fertilizing established acid loving plants in the spring and late fall.

Acid loving plants that would benefit by Espoma’s Holly-tone include: Andromeda, Azalea, Bayberry, Blueberry, Dogwood, Evergreens, Fir, Hemlock, Holly, Hydrangea, Inkberry, Juniper, Leucothoe, Magnolia, Mountain-laurel, Oak, Pachysandra, Pieris, Pine, Raspberry, Rhododendron, Spruce, Cedar and more.

Note: Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Laurel are shallow rooted plants. Keep them mulched and well watered in dry weather. Do not cultivate near them as surface roots may be cut and the plant damaged.

For New Plantings:

Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball so that roots can spread naturally. Remove 1/3 of the soil and replace it with compost, peat moss or humus. Mix 1 cup of Holly-tone into amended soil. Place the plant in the hole so that it sits at the same depth it was previously growing (use soil mark on the trunk as a guide). Fill the hole halfway with amended soil. Pack the soil firmly, soak it with water, and allow it to settle. Finish filling hole leaving the top two inches loose for easy absorption of water. Make slight depression around the plant to help hold water. Add mulch to help conserve water, slow down evaporation, and control weeds. Keep well watered until plant is established.

For Established Plants:

Feed acid-loving plants twice yearly - Spring and Fall. Use half the recommended rate in the Fall application. If the area to be fed is mulched, it is preferable to remove the mulch, feed and then restore the mulch on top of the plant food. If this is not possible, double all recommended feeding rates.

Trees

Sprinkle 1 lb. (3 cups) per inch of trunk diameter around drip line of plant (area under and slightly beyond branch spread). Triple the quantity for diameters 3 inches and over.  For larger trees, make a series of holes under the branch spread starting 1/3 of the distance out from the trunk and extending a similar distance beyond the branch line.  Holes should be 2-3 inches in diameter, 2-3 feet apart, and 12-18 inches deep. Divide the Holly-tone evenly among the holes and fill the remainder with soil.  Water thoroughly.

Shrubs

Sprinkle 1 cup of Holly-tone per foot of branch spread (diameter) around the drip line of the plant (area under and slightly beyond branch spread). Double the quantity if branch spread is 3 feet or larger.

Garden Beds

For new beds, mix 10 lbs. of Holly-tone per 100 sq. ft. into the top 4 inches of soil. For established beds, mix 5 lbs. per 100 sq. ft.

Potted Plants

Mix one part Holly-tone to 30 parts potting soil when planting. Feed established plants 1 teaspoon of Holly-tone for each 4 inches of pot diameter.

 

Some Popular Acid Loving Plants