 Parochetus communis $7.95
- common names: blue oxalis, shamrock pea
- flowering season: summer
- height: 1 - 3 inches, spreading wider indefinitely
- Light requirements: sun, partial shade; afternoon shade where summers are especially hot
- Soil requirements: average
- Water requirments: average
- Growth habit: low and spreading
- How to propagate: digging up a rooted runner
- Leaf type: clover-like leaves
- Ways to use it: edging taller flowering plants; bordering sidewalks and pathways; at the edge of hanging baskets of mixed flowers
Known as both blue oxalis and shamrock pea, this is native to the mountains of Africa and Asia. It is low at 1 to 3 inches tall and spreads widely to a couple of feet or more. The green leaves often have a circle pattern of dark red. The cobalt blue flowers are unbelievable at first sight. Flowers are produced for a long season. Plant it outdoors in the spring to give it a good start, and it will survive over winter to USDA Zone 8b. It is a very vigorous plant that will resprout from its roots if the top of the plant is killed. Digging and potting part of the plant might be a good precaution against the possibility of loosing it. This shamrock pea is content to live planted in a pot year around. In a greenhouse it may well flower all winter. It adds nicely to a hanging basket or deck planter. |
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