“Everything in its place” is a saying that ought to be applied when determining which plants you put into your landscape.

A client recently bemoaned the fact no matter what she did, her inherited rhododendron looked terrible and I couldn't disagree.

Our Okanagan climate can be challenging for plants. In the last couple of years we have seen lows to almost -40 C and highs of more than 40 C. That's almost an 80 degree temperature difference.

Vancouver and other coastal climates see a fraction of that.

The Okanagan Valley's stunning landscapes and thriving agriculture might suggest it's a gardener's paradise but experienced local horticulturists know better. While this semi-arid region excels for growing certain plants, it presents significant challenges for some of North America's most beloved ornamental shrubs and trees.

Rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, and most Japanese maples (Acer species) may dominate garden centres but they're fighting an uphill battle against this valley's unique environmental conditions.

The most fundamental obstacle these plants face in the Okanagan is soil chemistry. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and most hydrangeas are acid-loving plants that thrive in soils with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0. Unfortunately, Okanagan soils typically range from neutral to alkaline, often sitting between 7.0 and 8.5 pH. That alkaline environment creates a cascade of problems for acid-preferring plants.

In alkaline........

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