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Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionacea

purpleleaf false shamrock

AGM plants

AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:

  • Excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions
  • Available to buy
  • Of good constitution
  • Essentially stable in form & colour
  • Reasonably resistant to pests & diseases
© RHS
Sold by 3 nurseries

  • Other common names purpleleaf false shamrock

  • Synonyms Oxalis regnellii 'Brazilian Butterfly'
    Oxalis regnellii

  • Family Oxalidaceae

  • Genus Oxalis can be annuals or perennials, with fibrous, bulbous or rhizomatous rootstocks, palmately divided leaves and funnel-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers that mostly close in dull weather and at night

  • Details O. triangularis subsp. papilionacea is a deciduous, winter-dormant, frost-tender bulbous plant, producing purple foliage from spring to autumn and white to pale-pink starry flowers in summer

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Suckering

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H3

Colour

Sunlight

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or East-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilSand, Loam

  • pHAlkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 1-2 years

How to grow

Cultivation Can be grown year-round in a cool greenhouse or conservatory or a cool room indoors. Alternatively place outdoors in late spring to early autumn in partial shade. Bring indoors for the winter and provide cool, frost-free conditions. Requires a moisture retentive but well-drained soil mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould (or soil-less compost) and grit. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep barely moist when dormant in the winter

Propagation Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types Sub-tropical Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning No pruning necessary

Pests Slugs and snails may be a problem outdoors

Diseases Prone to rust diseases

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