Oxalis
Sorrel, Shamrock
- Height × spread
- 0.05m – 0.15m × 0.15m – 0.9m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are 800 or so species of these and some of them are pernicious weeds. Other forms are garden worthy, both for flowers and foliage. A number of forms are too tender for garden cultivation. They are generally small and spreading plants. The ornamental forms include the triangular leaves of Oxalis triangularis and the grey pleated foliage of Oxalis adenophylla. Some forms are wonderful for cracks in the paving and crevices in the walls such as Oxalis tetraphylla. It is likely that these plants will find these places out for themselves, if growing in our gardens! The flowers of Oxalis are frequently yellow but are also in shades of white, pink and purple. The weedy forms, such as Oxalis corniculatus, are probably already in your garden.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.05m – 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.15m – 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Indoors, Gravel garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Found in
More Oxalis
Oxalis tetraphylla 'Iron Cross'
Good luck plant, Lucky clover, Good luck leaf, Iron cross oxalis, Wood sorrel
Oxalis Xalis™ Black Velvet = 'JR OXBLAVEL'
Sorrel
Oxalis adenophylla
Sauer klee, Silver shamrock, Glandular leaved wood sorrel
Oxalis corniculatus var. atropurpurea
Procumbent yellow sorrel, Creeping oxalis, Creeping yellow oxalis
Oxalis depressa
Flattened sorrel
Oxalis enneaphylla
Scurvy grass
Oxalis melanosticta
Sorrel, Shamrock
Oxalis spiralis vulcanicola 'Crazy Plum'
Spiral, Volcanic sorrel