Oxalis purpurea 'Alba'

Oxalis purpurea 'Alba' is an excellent white form of the purple Oxalis, both particularly floriferous, rather hardy for an Oxalis, and easy to grow in well-drained soil. This small bulbous plant, which is not invasive, forms over time a carpet of green and velvety clover leaves, adorned with white flowers with yellow and green hearts for several months. In Mediterranean climates, flowering occurs in autumn and winter, and the plant rests throughout the summer. Elsewhere, this flowering will be more likely in spring. A lovely rock garden plant that also adapts very well to container gardening.

Oxalis purpurea 'Alba' belongs to the Oxalidaceae family and its ancestor is native to South Africa. It is an herbaceous plant that grows from a small "bulb," or more precisely a tuberized rhizome. The hardiness of this plant allows it to withstand a short frost of -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F) if the soil is very well-drained, almost dry. The vegetation emerges from the ground in autumn and disappears before summer, which corresponds to its resting period. The plant measures about 10cm (4in) in height and spreads on the ground, sometimes covering an area larger than 1m². Without stems, it develops leaves carried by a long petiole emerging directly from the rhizome. The leaf is divided into 3 generally triangular leaflets, of variable shape, dark green in colour but covered with silver bristles. The leaves orient themselves following the light: they close on the petiole in the evening and spread out at sunrise. The flowering period is long, from October to March in Mediterranean climates. Elsewhere, the plant generally blooms from March to June-July, and sometimes again in September-October. The flowers are carried by a long petiole and have a funnel shape with 5 rounded lobes.

Most often perennial plants, with bulbous or rhizomatous stumps, rare in cultivation, Oxalis are nevertheless plants that flower abundantly and have a wide range of uses. In short, they are plants for gardeners who want to venture off the beaten path. Oxalis purpurea 'Alba' will make a big impact in a rock garden, but also in a hanging basket or flower pot. For example, combine it with small spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) or other ground-covering plants such as Aubrietas, silver basket, sedums...