I absolutely love this plant. I have loved it since I first came across it many years ago visiting an old school friend who had this very plant on her coffee table. I remember swooning at it then and now I have the privilege of having my own, in fact several because they are easy to propagate – simply by division and potting on every couple of years. Then the joy of this beautiful and delicate plant can be shared. All through winter the beautiful pale pink flowers have made a repeat performance time and again and there is such excitement as each new unfurling flower-head rises up out from the base of the plant.
I love giving them as gifts and not so common a house plant they do give a ‘wow’ factor. They have wonderfully intricate purple splashed triangular leaflets raising up from fine wiry pink tinted stems and the flowers are as delicate a delight as to have ever gently wobbled and swayed over itself.
Truly a stunning plant and would do well in your home in a warm spot by keeping the compost towards moist.
Where to grow in the garden – I have only ever seen this indoors and most recently in abundance under warm dank glass at the Eden Project. However, if you want to grow it outdoors here’s some useful information:
Oxalis triangularis (Purple shamrock) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.3m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Edging, Garden edging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting
Cultivation
Plant in any moderately fertile, well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or light shade
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardiness
Hardy (H4)
Happy gardening!
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