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Oxalis purpurea (Grand Duchess Sorrel) - A summer deciduous bulb with large clover-like dark green foliage that emerges in late fall through early spring. The leaves lay mostly flattened to the ground so the plant is usually only a few inches tall. In mid-winter are borne the 1 1/2" wide yellow-throated pink funnel-shaped flowers.
Plant in full winter sun for best display but can grow well with less flowering in light shade. Give little or no summer irrigation while dormant. Hardy 15-20F. Unlike some others in the purpurea group, the Grand Duchess series does not aggressively spread or become weedy.
Oxalis purpurea is a species native to the winter rainfall areas of South Africa from Namaqualand in the north-west to Port Elizabeth in the south-east. The name for the genus is that of Linnaeus from the Greek words 'oxus' (sometimes spelled 'oxys'or 'oxis') meaning "sour" or "acid", which he used when describing Oxalis acetosella. The specific epithet refers to the typical purple or mauve color of the flowers. Other flower color forms occur including a white one called Oxalis purpurea 'Grand Duchess White' that we also have grown. We grew and sold this plant from 2003 until 2016.
The information displayed on this page about Oxalis purpurea 'Grand Duchess' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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