Oxalis purpurea 'Ken Aslet'

Oxalis purpurea 'Ken Aslet' is a variety of interesting purple Oxalis, known for its hardiness, ease of cultivation, and ornamental appearance. This small bulbous plant, which is not invasive, eventually forms a carpet of velvety clover-like leaves, with a silver-green colour, from which brightly coloured lemon-yellow funnel-shaped flowers emerge. In Mediterranean climates, flowering occurs in autumn and winter, and the plant rests throughout the summer. Elsewhere, flowering will typically be in spring. A lovely rock garden plant that also adapts well to container gardening.

Oxalis purpurea 'Ken Aslet' belongs to the family of Oxalidaceae, and its ancestor is native to South Africa. It is an herbaceous plant that grows from a small "bulb," or more precisely a tuberous rhizome. The hardiness of this plant allows it to withstand short frosts of -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F) if the soil is well-drained and almost dry. The vegetation emerges from the ground in autumn and disappears before summer, which is its resting period. The plant reaches a height of approximately 10cm (4in) and spreads on the ground, sometimes covering an area of more than 1m². Without stems, it develops leaves carried by a long petiole that emerges directly from the rhizome. The leaf is divided into 3 generally triangular leaflets, with variable shapes, dark green in colour but covered with silver bristles. The leaves orient themselves to follow 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 small bright yellow flowers are carried by a long petiole. They have a funnel shape that widens into 5 rounded lobes.

Most often perennial plants with bulbous or rhizomatous clumps, Oxalis are underutilized plants that flower abundantly and have a wide range of uses. In short, they are plants for gardeners looking to venture off the beaten path. Oxalis purpurea 'Ken Aslet' will make a big impression in a rock garden, as well as in a hanging basket or flower pot. For example, you can combine it with small spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) or other ground-covering plants like aubrietas, silver basket, sedums...