Oxalis triangularis
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eladdrallim
Posted: Mar-05-2005 at 4:31pm
I found this plant in a garden store in the NW, and the lady said it was strictly indoor. BUT, upon reading about it, I found many references to planting it in the garden for accents; especially around silver leafed plants. The plant is deep purple with white flowers.
HOWEVER, most references reported it needed to be planted in SUN. A few said shade or filtered light. I thought Oxalis liked shade. I have some gold Oxalis I use in my shade basket.
I am confused.
I thought about using it in a hanging basket, but I don't know if I should plant it in the sun basket (lots of sun expose from noon on) or shade basket (virtually no or a little filtered light)!
Anyone know about its needs in the Bellingham WA area?
Elad Drallim
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-07-2005 at 8:05am
Welcome to Rainyside, Elad!
I can see how you would be confused with the requirements of this plant. Just doing a google search, I found some links that said oxalis triangularis is frost tender and others that said it was hardy to zone 6. Of course, the sites did not say whether the zones they list were USDA but the USDA zoning system is normally what is used.
Have you got seeds or starts? If I were you I would conduct a little experiment. I would plant some of the plants in the sun basket but keep it moist, some in shade and some in the house. That way if we do get a frost and they don't make it you have some you can plant out in May.
Good luck!
Jeanne
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-09-2005 at 10:29am
If this beautiful purple oxallis is related to the noxious red one that has spread itself around my yard, I would put it in a location where you can check its behavior and control it easily before planting it in a bed where it could spread! The picture I saw of it was gorgeous. Let us know how it behaves!
Carol
elad
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-09-2005 at 6:49pm
Well, I found a similar plant called a Stubbs Shamrock. It is, according to the source that raised them, non-invasive in this area, although other varities can be.
They said it prefers diffused light, not direct sun. It does not like to get hot and does better in early spring when temps are 55-60.
They said it is unlikely it could be invasive here and they consider it a novelty plant for St Patricks day. The woman I talked to said it may work in a basket, but heat of summer may wipe it out. They bloom, then have a tendency to die back.
I may try it in my shade basket to see what happens. I can always replace it if it dies. Might look good with my spotted nettle & lungwort basket.
Thanks for the feedback, folks!
Elad
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Mar-11-2005 at 7:34pm
I have grown it in my cold zone 7 garden and it has come back every year. True, it has been planted next to the house. It is on the west side but I do have moist soil and in has to come up through a groundcover of Rubus calycinoides. It has not spread but stays a nice clump and I like its flowers.
Fern
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton