Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - January 18, 2013

From: Phenix City, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Soils, Shrubs
Title: Growing rabitteye blueberries in Phenix City AL
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What type soil is needed to grow rabbiteye blueberries?

ANSWER:

Vaccinium ashei (rabbiteye blueberry) is native to the American southeast, although it does not yet appear in our Native Plant Database, which is always a work in progress. From Texas A&M Agri LIFE Extension here is an article on Rabbiteye Blueberries which is  very specific on the soil requirements for this plant. This article is emphatic that they will not grow in alkaline soils, which means that anyone in Central Texas, where the Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is located is out of luck. They demand acidic soils, which you probably have in Alabama. According to this USDA Plant Profile map, they do grow natively in Barbour County, which is right next to Russell and Lee Counties, and we can assume that the soils there are also appropriate soils. We suggest that you contact the Alabama Cooperative Extension System for Lee County for specific information on your soils.

Here is more information from Floridata, including that the Rabbiteye Blueberry does not tolerate clay or soggy soils.

 

More Soils Questions

Possibility of growing plants in St. Peter Sandstone
April 02, 2008 - Can you grow plants or native plants in St. Peter Sandstone or amend it?
view the full question and answer

Native plants for heavy clay soil in east Austin
May 02, 2007 - I live in East Austin and have very thick clay soil on my property. I also have a lot of shade and partial sun/shade. Can you suggest some native plant varieties that are well-adapted to these condi...
view the full question and answer

Growing Native Plants in Juniper litter from Wimberley, TX
October 04, 2010 - Junipers create an environment under their canopy that prohibits growth of other plants. I have a virgin lot that has been cleared of many juniper but has remaining heavy natural leaf mold containing...
view the full question and answer

Plants adding calcium to soil
June 08, 2006 - Hi, I am looking for a resource to help determine the functions of native plants. For instance, nitrogen fixing can be found in Indigo, Lead plant, lupines. Are there other plants that add back cal...
view the full question and answer

Chlorotic Texas Mountain Laurel in Benson, Arizona
May 04, 2014 - I've planted a Texas Mountain Laurel in heavy clay soil in Arizona. It's been in place for 3 years and flowers each spring. However it's leaves are a shade of medium, yellowish green nothing like t...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.