22Jul/086
Purple Leaf Oxalis
Oxalis also known as Shamrock is a wonderful plant for shade gardening. It is very low maintenance and doesn't require a lot of watering. You can neglect it for a week and it will still put on a show. I love the pink flowers over dark purple leaves. This is a tough plant and it doesn't stop blooming. Just make sure it's in the shade. This is a keeper, I just hope it will survive the zone 6 winter, or maybe bring it indoors during winter.
The leaves of this plant close up at night and it opens up at dawn:
July 22nd, 2008 - 19:35
I love Oxalis! I’ve been watering my neighbors and it has come back from being almost dead.
July 23rd, 2008 - 07:57
Gorgeous photos on your blog! I also grow lots of veggies in containers on my deck so I appreciate your tips, especially the bucket of water ready for the watering can. I’ve been trying to take grey water from my sink (from rinsing or whatever) to recycle on the deck (but I forget more than I remember to bring it out there!)I have a shady spot where this oxalis would look nice.
July 23rd, 2008 - 08:00
Although I was initially taken by the photo, what really caught my eye is that your in zone 6! I’ve just started in the hobby of gardening, but being that I’m in Italy, it took awhile to figure out what my zone is. At least now I can figure in oxalis if I ever decide to!
July 23rd, 2008 - 08:25
Fern – good job on bringing back the Oxalis! They are beautiful plant aren’t they?
jgh – Thanks for visiting my blog! The bucket of water is working well but I need to get a bigger bucket because the weather is getting hot and I find myself filling it every other day.
rowena – Thanks for your nice comment and welcome to my blog! Where in Italy are you? I was in Italy last year and I love the country. I swear I would go back again some day.
August 26th, 2008 - 22:53
This is so beautiful! I would love to try and grow some of it! I was happy to hear it likes shade. I took some green clover out of my moms garden and placed it in a fairy garden I made and keep indoors…and the clover is thriving! I am amazed! Wonderful stuff!
April 21st, 2010 - 21:38
I’m SO thrilled to have found your site! I’ve had this plant for years – affectionately dubbing it “the happy plant” because I couldn’t seem to find anyone who could identify it for me! I love the Oxalis! It is so beautiful and easy to care for. Thanks!