Oxalis adenophylla

Family: Oxalidaceae

Flower colour: pink

Flowering period: June – July

Average plant height: 8 cm

Planting depth to base of bulb: 10 cm

Spacing between bulbs: 10 cm

Type of bulb: root

Light requirements: full sun to partial shade

Landscape uses: borders and rock gardens

Among members of this genus, some species are winter hardy and should be planted in the fall, while others should be planted in the spring due to their susceptibility to frost damage. Oxalis deppei (Good Luck plant) is an example of the group that flowers naturally in the summer.

Oxalis adelophylla originally comes from Chili and Argentina where it grows at fairly high elevations in the mountains. This explains its winter hardiness. If its soil is well drained, this little plant with its peculiarly shaped tubers will have no trouble naturalising. They also make lovely pot plants. The flowers are not the only attractive part of the plant; its finely incised greenish-grey leaves only add to Oxalis adenophylla’s beauty.