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Wood Sorrel

Oxalis Acetosella

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Overview

Wood Sorrel, or Oxalis acetosella, is a charming, low-growing perennial, reaching a modest height of 2-5 inches. Its trifoliate, clover-like leaves and delicate white, veined flowers give a woodland feel. Preferring partial to full shade, it thrives in well-drained, acidic soil. Hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through rhizomes, making it ideal for ground cover. Adds whimsical beauty and attracts pollinators in a garden design.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater HighZones 9–10Type PerennialClimate Alpine

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Its trifoliate, clover-like leaves and delicate white, veined flowers give a woodland feel; adding a subtle pop, image 58

Culture

Sun: Full, Half, Shade
Water: High
USDA zones: 9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Perennial
Family: Oxalidaceae
Climate: Alpine

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Photos (190)

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Its low-maintenance and spreading habit create a visually appealing and cohesive green layer; adding a subtle pop of color

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Adds whimsical beauty and attracts pollinators in a garden design

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — meaning they fold up at night or in response to touch; hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through rhizomes, making it, image 157

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Wood Sorrel can be incorporated as an understory plant paired with ferns; reopening with the light of, image 131

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — and other shade-loving species

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — each measuring approximately 0.5 to 1 inch across; reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When designing a, image 63

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — held aloft on stems that rise just above the foliage.<br><br>Wood Sorrel prefers partial to full shade; hardy in, image 69

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When designing a landscape; adding a subtle pop of color with their, image 74

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Clients will appreciate its whimsical form and the refreshing; vibrant green it adds to shaded sections of their, image 108

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — while its modest height ensures it won't overshadow neighboring plants; reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — each measuring approximately 0.5 to 1 inch across; reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When designing a, image 91

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — held aloft on stems that rise just above the foliage.<br><br>Wood Sorrel prefers partial to full shade

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — With its trifoliate leaves that resemble shamrocks; adding a subtle pop of color with their yellow centers

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — multi-colored and white flowers in the garden; adding a subtle pop of color with their yellow centers

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — With its trifoliate leaves that resemble shamrocks; adding a subtle pop of color with their yellow centers, image 118

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — vibrant green it adds to shaded sections of their garden

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — and other shade-loving species; vibrant green it adds to shaded sections of their garden

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — carpet-like ground cover reaching 2 to 5 inches in height; hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through rhizomes, making it ideal

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — Preferring partial to full shade, it thrives in well-drained, acidic soil; reopening with the light of, image 143

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — adding a subtle pop of color with their yellow centers; reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When designing a, image 95

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — or used to fill spaces between stepping stones and along garden paths; hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through, image 133

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — carpet-like ground cover reaching 2 to 5 inches in height; hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through rhizomes, image 65

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — carpet-like ground cover reaching 2 to 5 inches in height; hardy in zones 3-9, it spreads through rhizomes, image 149

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) — perennial with multi-colored and white blooms; reopening with the light of day.<br><br>When designing a landscape, image 83

Photographs by 14 contributors

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
srsvivos, CC BY 4.0 · source
Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source
(c) Bruno Avilez, CC BY 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dr. Zachi Evenor, CC BY 2.0 · source
Leslie Seaton from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
M ath K night and Zachi…, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C.,…, CC BY 2.0 · source
Danny S., CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Patrick Hacker, CC BY 4.0 · source
Tero Karppinen from Finland, CC BY 2.0 · source
(c) Nicolás Lavandero, CC BY 4.0 · source

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