Lots of Plants Benefit from Iron Applications Now

Q. What other landscape shrubs benefit from an application of iron chelate? I know bottlebrush and photinia. Others?

Iron chlorosis on bottlebrush

A. That’s a good question. There are so many but for the most part those plants that originate from desert environments usually do not need it. Those that come from climates that are not a desert frequently will need it.

So for instance, Texas Ranger seldom if ever needs it. And likewise those that are sold as truly desert plants will not. There would be literally hundreds that we could list.



Iron chlorosis in photinia

There are some that are notorious for yellowing and needing iron particularly if they are put into rock-type desert landscapes. Just about all landscape plants in the rose family will require it including roses themselves and all fruit trees such as peach, plum, nectarine, pluots, apricots, apples, pears, etc.



Usually pomegranate and fig will not but I have seen pomegranate with yellowing and needing iron. Seldom do pine trees need it or most evergreens (keeping their leaves or needles through the winter).

As far as landscape trees go most like ash, mulberry, olive will not need an iron application. But a safe bet is if it is in the rose family it will probably need one.