Oxalis adenophylla

Description

Oxalis adenophylla – silver shamrock

Botanical name: Oxalis adenophylla
Common names: Silver shamrock, Chilean oxalis
Family: Oxalidaceae
Plant type: Bulbous/tuberous alpine perennial
Habit: Low, clump-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 8–10cm tall × 15cm spread
Foliage: Folded, grey-green clover-like leaves; dies back in winter
Flowers: Cup-shaped pink flowers with darker centres, late spring to early summer (May–June)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained, gritty; low to moderate fertility; neutral
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes winter wet
Native range: Andes of Chile and Argentina
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; contains oxalic acid, so may cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity by people or pets

Oxalis adenophylla, the silver shamrock, is a charming alpine forming neat tufts of folded, grey-green clover-like leaves, with cup-shaped pink flowers opening in late spring. Ideal for troughs, rockeries and gritty pots in a sunny, well-drained spot.

GardenAdvice notes

A compact alpine growing from a small fibrous-coated bulb, this Andean oxalis forms tidy rosettes of distinctive pleated, silvery grey-green foliage topped with pretty pink flowers. It is a well-behaved, non-invasive species — quite unlike the weedy oxalis — and thrives in the sharp drainage of an alpine bed, trough or pan.

Growing & planting

Plant the bulbs in autumn or pot-grown plants in spring, in full sun with very sharp drainage. A gritty alpine mix, raised bed or trough is ideal; on heavier ground work in plenty of grit. Set bulbs about 5cm deep and space plants around 15cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Easy in the right spot. Water in growth from spring to summer, then keep drier as the foliage dies back in late summer, giving the resting bulbs a dry period. Protect from prolonged winter wet. A gravel topdressing keeps the leaves clean and the neck dry.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and separate the small bulbs when dormant in late summer or autumn and replant.
• Offsets: Detach naturally produced offset bulbs and pot on.
• Seed: Sow fresh seed in a gritty mix, though division is quicker and easier.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. The main risk is rot from winter wet or heavy, poorly drained soil. Given sharp drainage it is little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Perfect for alpine troughs, pans and rockeries, raised beds, gravel gardens and gritty containers where its neat habit and silvery foliage can be appreciated close up.

Wildlife value

The cup-shaped spring flowers open in sunshine and provide nectar for early bees and other small pollinators.

Toxicity & safety

This oxalis contains oxalic acid and has a low level of toxicity: eaten in quantity it may cause stomach upset in people or pets, though it is not considered seriously poisonous. Best kept out of reach of pets that chew plants.

GardenAdvice tip

Give silver shamrock a dry rest after its leaves fade in late summer — like many alpine bulbs it hates sitting wet while dormant, so a trough or gritty pot that can be kept on the dry side over winter suits it perfectly. The pleated leaves are lovely in the morning when they unfurl, so plant it where you can see it up close.

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