GROWING PURPLE SHAMROCK (OXALIS) IN MY GARDEN

Purple Shamrock has many names. Some of its names are Oxalis Triangularis, Oxalis Regnellii, False Shamrock, Love Plant and etc. Its most common name is Purple Shamrock.

I bought my first Purple Shamrock plant from a plant nursery. I was so attracted to its leaves because they looked so like purple butterflies.

Purple Shamrock is a dainty, elegant looking plant. It has slender, delicate stems holding up its purple butterfly-like leaves. When it is full of leaves, it looks like a mushroom top with pale purple flowers holding its head above the leaves.

The leaves are deep purple in two shades, consisting of three segments shaped like hearts joining together at the pointed end of the hearts. The stems of the leaves can grow to about a foot long.

When there is light, the leaves will open up, but when the sun sets, the leaves will fold down. The length of the stem to the leaves can grow to about a foot long.

The flowers of Purple Shamrock are small, pink to pale purple with green centre held up high about two inches above the leaves by slim, delicate stems.

There are other varieties of Purple Shamrock, and I had a green one where its leaves are green and the flowers white.

Some green shamrock has pink flowers. My green shamrock plant has died, completely gone and I am still looking out for a green shamrock for my garden.

Purple Shamrock plant needs a few hours of sunlight or at least some brightness to be a healthy plant. It needs good drainage garden soil.

Poor drainage or too dry, the plant will die. If for some reasons the plant died, do not give up hope. The plant will grow again if the soil is kept moist.

Initially, when I was having my first Purple Shamrock plant, it looked so delicate and I dare not re-pot it or separate the plant to propagate. When my first Purple Shamrock plant died, I thought it was gone for good. I dug up the soil from its pot and mixed with new soil to grow other plants.

This Purple Shamrock plant grew from the tubers that got mixed with soil used for this pot.

After a while I was so surprised to see baby Purple Shamrock growing in some of these flower pots. The tubers must have got separated and survived the mixing of soil. That was how I found out that Purple Shamrock grows from its small tubers. As long as the tuber is not damage, the plant will grow back. It is easy to grow and to take care.

To propagate Purple Shamrock, unearth the whole plant, then carefully and gently separate and divide the tubers. Plant the separated tubers in separate pots. Very soon, new shoots will grow and multiply. It needs to be fertilized regularly, at least once in two weeks. It needs sunlight to flourish and stay healthy.

Purple Shamrock can be grown in pots and looks very pretty in hanging pots. It is grown for its attractive deep purple leaves. The wider the pot, the more and wider the spread of its leaves.

I was told that this plant is toxic to pets, so to be on the safe side, it is better to place the plant out of reach of pets. And that its leaves had an awful taste, probably to deter pets from chewing the leaves.

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

(Luke 2:14, New International Version-NIV)

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Wishing all who are celebrating Christmas

"Blessed and Merry Christmas"

and to all and your loved ones,

"Happy New Year,

fill with overflowing joy and good health."