St. Patrick’s Day is on Saturday: Here’s an interesting holiday question! How many shades of green does Ireland have? If you said forty, you’re likely thinking of the song that Johnny Cash wrote way back in 1959 when he was visiting beautiful Ireland. But some say that there are actually even more shades of green. How beautiful it must be!
When St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to help teach about the Holy Trinity, he was likely using the trifolium repens, the common white clover, as a visual aid for his lessons. This is likely the same clover that many of us have in our lawns (see, we should be thinking we are lucky!).
If you have been at a store that sells a variety of houseplants, quite often you will see the oxalis labelled as “shamrock plant”. It actually is not a shamrock, but seems to fall into the same category because of the shape of the leaves.
The oxalis belongs to the wood sorrel family, and from what I have read, there were great and enthusiastic discussions about which plant was actually “the shamrock”: Is it clover or oxalis? (FYI, most botanists seem to feel the clover is the “shamrock”).
But oxalis is a beautiful plant, regardless. Mom used to have an oxalis plant, and it was lovely, an interesting change from the usual houseplants. I did a little reading about oxalis and for those of us who are house-plant challenged, it sounds like the perfect plant!
Oxalis originally called South Africa and South America home. It’s a large plant family with hundreds of species. There are various varieties, but a common one is the purple oxalis, also called “false shamrock” or “love plant”.
Now here’s why I say it is a good match for those of us who do not have good luck with houseplants. The oxalis is very easy-going about growing conditions. Unlike some plants, it is not particular about temperature or drafts; we can even forget to water it and it will forgive us and come back once it is watered again. The oxalis likes soil that is a bit coarse, and bright, indirect light when indoors. It has a compact growing habit indoors, but can serve double duty and will do well for us outside in our planters. Outdoors, the plant likes partial or full shade.
So if you see this plant in the store, give it a try! You can enjoy it indoors till spring planting, and then use it in one of your planters. Speaking of spring, the spring equinox occurs on Tuesday, Mar. 20 at 10:15 a.m. After the recent dumps of snow it might not seem like spring but by the calendar, it will arrive on that day!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their next regular meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m., at SIGN on North Street in Yorkton. Our special guest speaker will be Jim Gorman, agronomist, talking to us about Lawn Care and Maintenance. If one of your gardening goals is to have a lush, verdant lawn, Jim will be able to tell you how to get the lawn of your dreams! Everyone is welcome; you don’t have to be a member to come to the meetings. Bring a friend and join us!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I read a beautiful Irish blessing in my reading travels and pass it on to you: May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire.
Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca Have a happy week!
