- Hellebore flowers thrive in alkaline soil conditions.hellebore image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
There are many plants that thrive in alkaline soil without sacrificing their vibrant blooms. Grown in a wide range of shapes and sizes, alkaline soils have a pH level above 7.0 and contain more lime than acidic and neutral soils. Test the soil to ensure your garden is considered alkaline. - Hellebore (Helleborus x hybridus 'red hybrid') is an evergreen perennial plant that thrives in alkaline soil. It has a clumping growth habit and grows up to 1-½ feet tall and wide. Hellebore bears deep-maroon, cup-shaped blooms that grow 2 inches wide. The nodding-like blooms on hellebore have distinct overlapping petals. Hellebore blooms beginning in February and lasting into April. The deeply cut, lobed leaves on hellebore are glossy and dark-green in color. Hellebore grows best in part to full shade and well-drained, nutrient-rich, alkaline soil. Hellebore is tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Grow hellebore in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
- American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup') is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It has a dense, conical-to-pyramidal shape that is narrow, although sometimes becomes broadly pyramidal when mature. The scale-like foliage on American arborvitae has a rich, green color and appears in vertical sprays. American arborvitae retains its brilliant, green foliage throughout the winter. American arborvitae grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained, alkaline-to-neutral soil. It tolerates a wide range of soils, excluding dry conditions. Grow American arborvitae in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 7.
- Winter Daphne (Daphne odora 'Marginata') is an evergreen shrub with a rounded form. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide and has a moderate growth rate. Winter Daphne produces aromatic rose and pink flower buds that open to white. The blooms on winter Daphne begin emerging in winter to last into early spring. The foliage on winter Daphne has a distinct yellow margin or line running around the perimeter of each leaf. Winter Daphne is frost tolerant and grows best in full sun to part shade. It requires well-drained, fertile, nutrient-rich soil that is slightly alkaline to acidic. Grow winter Daphne in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
