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Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.05m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Oxalis acetosella
Other names
Wood sorrel, Common wood sorrel, Cuckoo bread, Cuckooflower, Cuckoo meat, Cuckoo sorrel, Fairy bells, French sorrel, Gowk meat, Hallelujah, Hearts, Lady's clover, Little gentle one, Marsh clover, St. Cecilia's flower, St. Patrick's cross, Sleeping beauty, Sleeping clover, Sleeping Molly , Sow trefoil, Stabwort, Stubwort, Wood sower, Sour shamrock, False shamrock, Sourgrass
Genus
Oxalis Oxalis
Species
O. acetosella - O. acetosella is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with palmate leaves divided into three folded, heart-shaped, edible, bright green leaflets and, from spring into summer, cup-shaped, white flowers with pink veins.
Oxalis acetosella is: Evergreen
Habit
Mat Forming
Flower
Veined, White in Spring; White, Veined in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Rust Rust
General care
Pruning
Little to no pruning necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) will reach a height of 0.05m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Wildlife, Underplanting, Ground Cover, Containers, Beds and borders, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil. May spread rapidly in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Oxalis acetosella
Other names
Wood sorrel, Common wood sorrel, Cuckoo bread, Cuckooflower, Cuckoo meat, Cuckoo sorrel, Fairy bells, French sorrel, Gowk meat, Hallelujah, Hearts, Lady's clover, Little gentle one, Marsh clover, St. Cecilia's flower, St. Patrick's cross, Sleeping beauty, Sleeping clover, Sleeping Molly , Sow trefoil, Stabwort, Stubwort, Wood sower, Sour shamrock, False shamrock, Sourgrass
Genus
Oxalis Oxalis
Species
O. acetosella - O. acetosella is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with palmate leaves divided into three folded, heart-shaped, edible, bright green leaflets and, from spring into summer, cup-shaped, white flowers with pink veins.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Mat Forming
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Colour
Flower
Veined, White in Spring; White, Veined in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Little to no pruning necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) will reach a height of 0.05m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Wildlife, Underplanting, Ground Cover, Containers, Beds and borders, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil. May spread rapidly in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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