Gardening and Horticulture - Pine bark for mulch

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the deacon
05-17-06, 10:38 AM
I know pine bark has a higher ph which is good for azaleas, but could I also use it for other plants and flowers. Or would it make the soil ph spike to high for neutral or base loving plants?
I like the cosmetic look of it above the other mulches is the reason why I'd like to use it.

thanks
deacon

twelvepole
05-17-06, 06:18 PM
Pine bark mulch decomposes slowly. Continuous use of pine bark will increase acidity. Pine bark, although it tends to be washed away in the rain, is prized for the texture it provides in the landscape and its soil conditioning around acid loving plants because it has a higher acidity level than other mulches.
the deacon
05-18-06, 08:04 AM
So I shouldn't use it?

DIYaddict
05-18-06, 10:06 AM
What kind of "other" plants do you have?
the deacon
05-18-06, 02:57 PM
the section is not landscaped yet. But I want it to be a native Prarie wildflower garden. Maybe some peonys too.
DIYaddict
05-18-06, 03:16 PM
In that case, I would just use the pine bark for plants that like them. Since you have not landscaped anything yet, maybe pick plants/flowers that do like the pine bark...Or...stick with the wildflowers and peonys and no pine bark.
the deacon
05-18-06, 03:29 PM
ok thanks DIY