Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionacea (Purple Shamrock)

Adding striking color to borders or pots, Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionacea (Purple Shamrock) is a bulbous plant forming a lush foliage mound of deep burgundy, trifoliate leaves that close at night and open wide to the morning light. Each leaf has the shape of a little heart but is triangular like butterfly wings. In summer, umbels of delicate, five-petaled flowers, white to pale lavender-pink, appear atop slender stems, above the handsome clover-like foliage. This is a very easy foliage plant to cultivate and maintain. Incredibly long-lived, Purple Shamrock is not invasive and is a good choice for containers, borders, or indoors. Great as a ground cover in mild winter areas.

It is a member of the Oxalidaceae family (wood sorrel family), home to ornamental favorites like the star fruit, little tree plant, violet wood sorrel, redwood sorrel, silver shamrock, and the iconic good luck plant. Other notable members include the striking false shamrock and the eye-catching candy cane sorrel.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-24 in wide (30-60 cm).
• Easily grown in light (sandy), medium (loamy), well-drained soils in part shade . Water regularly during the active growing season, but allow the surface soil to dry out between waterings. Keep barely moist when dormant in the winter
• Well-suited to borders, containers, woodland gardens
• Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Propagate by seed or division
• False Shamrock is also considered an invasive plant in some parts of the world.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to Brazil