The Oxalis triangularis 'Mijke' is a compact selection of the purple false shamrock, prized for its exceptionally dark, almost black-purple leaflets. Each leaf is made of three triangular leaflets in the deepest plum, so saturated they read as near-black in low light, and they fold shut like little butterflies at dusk before opening again with the morning. Delicate sprays of pale pink flowers hover above the foliage through summer, glowing against that inky backdrop. It is one of the moodiest, most beautiful little tubers you can grow in a gritty pot or at the front of a warm border.Wonderfully versatile, it sits right on the border between houseplant and garden plant, so grow it whichever way suits your space. It loves bright light: give it the high light of a conservatory, greenhouse or a sunny windowsill indoors, or a bright, sheltered spot outdoors through the warmer months, and that near-black colour only deepens. It is also refreshingly low effort. Frost tender and winter dormant, it simply rests below ground through the cold and bounces back each spring, so there is nothing to fuss over in the off season.How and where to grow Position: sun to partial shade, with the deepest, darkest colour developing in good light. Ideal for pots, patios and balconies, and happy in a little more shade in the hottest spots. Soil: light, sharply drained, gritty compost or soil that never stays soggy. Size: neat and compact, reaching only around 20 to 25 cm tall and wide, so it never outgrows a container. Hardiness: RHS H3. In cold gardens simply lift the little tubers or move pots under cover for winter, keeping them dry and frost free until spring. See our what to expect guide for how tender exotics move through the seasons. Native to Brazil, it grows from small tubers and rhizomes. Water regularly through spring and summer while it is in leaf and flower, letting the surface dry between drinks, then ease right off as the foliage fades in autumn and keep the resting tubers nearly dry. Its long flowering and gentle, pollinator-friendly habit make it a lovely companion at the front of exotic borders and among our other exotic bulbs and tubers. For the classic purple species see Oxalis triangularis, or try the green, white-flowered Oxalis regnellii.Whichever shamrock you choose, it earns its place in the wider hardy exotics range. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected and packed with care to arrive in lovely condition, ready to pot up or plant out once the frosts have passed.
