martiana aureo-reticulata—Shamrock leaves of emerald green thickly traced with interlacing veins of gold, easy flowers in loose clusters.
CARE. Cool, loamy garden soil, needs fresh air, bright light, dry side. (O. hedysariodes rubra requires more warmth and semishade.)
PROPAGATION. Bulbs, division of roots, seeds.
SPECIAL USES. House plants, hanging containers.
Oxalis hedysaroides rubra
Parochetus communis Leguminosae Shamrock Pea, Blue Oxalis
It’s neither a shamrock nor an oxalis, although it has three-part leaves resembling both and is marked with a mahogany quarter-moon in the center. But, the blooms are pea-like, all right, with ocean blue blending into pink on the two side petals. It’s a tender tropical trailer never more than three inches tall with creeping stems rooting over the soil.
CARE. Sun, intermediate temperature, average soil.
PROPAGATION. Seeds in March and April. Division in March.