Pine needles are favor by many gardeners because they are a natural , pronto available and cheap elbow room to mulch garden plants . Mulching industrial plant contain ground eroding , keep wet in the soil and provides a unwavering supply of nutrient to industrial plant as the needles decompose . Pine - needle mulch , or pine straw , has a rich , earthy color that many nurseryman employ as contrast against the bright efflorescence of annual , perennial and green - leafed industrial plant . Acidic - hump plant respond particularly well to pine - needle mulch . When saving pine needles to utilise for mulch , it ’s a respectable idea to water the mound of needles sporadically . Piles of dry true pine needles can make a fire hazard , especially if kept too near the house .
Blueberries
blueberry prefer acerbic soils with a pH spirit level of about 4.5 ( dirt with a pH of 7 or less is considered acidic ) . true pine straw spread around the base of blueberry plants help them maintain a right pH economic value as the mulch gradually break up .
Hostas
Broad - leafed genus Hosta — also Elvis - screw plants — do well with a chummy layer of pine needles spread around the base of each plant . Not only will the mulch keep the soil moist , but it will also provide a pleasing direct contrast to the luxuriant gamy - greens , jet or yellow - golds of different hosta varieties .
Flowering Annuals
Because yearly mature and blossom relatively speedily during the growing season , pH levels in ground are n’t as critical to them . Pansies , zinnias , snapdragon , dahlias and marigolds respond well when mulched with pine needles , especially since pine straw is light enough for immature annual plant or bulb to advertize through as they mature toward the sunlight .
Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias
The graphic pinks , reds , whites and oranges of azalea and rhododendron shrub add a dramatic beauty to any garden . These mostly evergreen shrubs thrive in damp , acid soils . Mulching with pine phonograph needle guarantee right pH soil levels for azalea and rhododendrons throughout the rise season . Camellia raiser in the Gulf nation of the U.S. spread pine needle mulch around their loot - advance camelia bush not only for soil nutrition and temperature maintenance , but also for aesthetic reasons .
Flowering Perennials
unfolding perennials such as daylily , Shasta daisy , tick-weed and canna lilies grow well when mulched with pine needles . Pine straw also keep mud from spattering on plants after a heavy rain .
