Plant of the Month March 2012

Oxalis 'Ione Hecker'

Oxalis 'Ione Hecker'

Oxalis 'Ione Hecker'; photos by Todd Boland

Description and general information

This shamrock is a hybrid between the two South American species O. laciniata and O. enneaphylla. Plants arise from a scaly bulb-like rhizome. Plants form a low mound about 5-10 cm in height. The finely-cut, whorl-like foliage is blue-grey while the relatively large (3 cm) trumpet to saucer-shaped flowers are violet with dark purple veins.

This shamrock has an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

Cultivation

This hardy shamrock requires full sun to part shade and well-drained gritty soil, preferably with some well-rotted leaf mold. It is not fussy about the soil pH, tolerating alkaline as well as acidic soil. It is among the easiest of the South American shamrocks and is hardy to zone 5.

Bloom period

This shamrock generally flowers from late spring to early summer, but in cooler climates, may bloom sporadically all summer. This hybrid generally holds its leaves all summer.

Propagation

Division

Seed

No

Division

Plants may be dug in early spring and the scaly rhizome broken apart

Cuttings

No

References

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