Rare Bulbous Oxalis Species

Every autumn, I find that I look forward to the many species of bulbous Oxalis which I grow in small pots in the greenhouse. Dormant all summer long, these tiny bulb plants emerge quickly, within a few weeks after their first autumnal watering, and are often in bloom for an entire month. Here are a few that are in bloom this weekend. Each have interesting foliage and growth habit, and some are so loaded with flowers that they look more like showy annuals than they do rare South African bulbs. We me loath many of the Oxalis species since they are weeds in our gardens and greenhouses, but these rare gems are completely different, and worth collecting if you have a cool greenhouse with lots of sunshine.