11 Mar '07 12:25 am Good afternoon from a spring-like Southern Denmark. My wife has come home with a potted plant for the garden (I really shall have to stop calling her "My first wife") and I would appreciate some help in the recognition of said plant. It is obviously of the Clover family, it has purple leaves on slender stalks individually coming from the base of the plant, it has some rather nondescript white blossom also on long slender stalks. Before planting it out I would like to know it's soil preferences, ultimate size and propogation method. GO ON -- YOU KNOW YOU CAN HELP ME. Regards Gerry
Faith S
Perpetually learning gardener
Alabama, USA
Help needed
11 Mar '07 1:17 am Hi Gerry,
Your new plant is often sold in stores at this time of year as "Shamrock", but it is actually a cultivated Oxalis. It is not particular about soil or site and will happily reseed itself even if kept in a pot. Some gardeners would not unleash it in their gardens, but I happen to be one of those "crazy" types who like it and allow it free range. It is not nearly as invasive as the wild oxalis; however, and is a lot prettier. It is also easily removed from undesired spots. I have two varieties, one has green leaves and white flowers and the other has purple leaves and pink flowers. They do intermix readily, so some of the offspring come out with greenish/purple foliage and white or pink flowers. They do well in dappled shade. The foliage would probably sunburn in full sun. They overwinter in the garden here quite well, going dormant through the cold months. Good luck with your new plant.
