Oxalis brasiliensis – Brazilian Wood Sorrel

Oxalis brasiliensis – Brazilian Wood Sorrel (Shamrock, Sorrel)

This charming South American bulbous perennial brings shiny, mid-green, shamrock-like foliage and lovely rosy-purple flowers to rock gardens and containers. Darker veins and yellow centers add delicate detail to blooms that appear from spring through summer, attracting butterflies and other garden visitors. Its tidy foliage combines beautifully with ferns and makes an attractive small groundcover where its spread can be monitored. Plants may become dormant seasonally; reduce irrigation during dormancy. Although some trial gardens report restrained growth, this species can spread and naturalize, so choose a pot if containment is important. Grow in sun to shade with good drainage and moderate watering; it tolerates some drought once established.

Key Features:

• Bulbous perennial; seasonally deciduous or dormant
• Shiny, mid-green, shamrock-like leaves
• Rosy-purple flowers with darker veins and yellow centers
• Long flowering season from spring through summer
• Attracts butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer resistant and tolerant of some drought once established
• Excellent for rock gardens, pots, and monitored groundcover plantings
• Combines attractively with ferns
• Can spread and naturalize; use containers where containment is important
• Provide good drainage and reduce watering during dormancy

Growing Details:
Height: 3–6 inches | Spread: About 6–8 inches initially, potentially wider with time
Exposure: Sun to shade | Water: Moderate; reduce during dormancy
Bloom time: Spring–summer | Bloom color: Rosy-purple with darker veins and yellow centers
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9–10