Hi Scottish, they usually don't develop as they should, because they can't take up the nutrients in an acid soil, and tend to stay more or less the same size they were when you planted them, but don't usually die off, Derek.

Most plants that are happy in alkaline soils will also cope quite adequately in acid soils. Often the low nutrient levels suit both ends of the spectrum. Holly prefers one way or another (acid or alkaline) but isn't at its very best in the middle. Where a problem occurs is when the acid soils are also poorly drained, and it's then that the chalk lovers struggle.

Thanks both of you for your informative answers.