What I'm Digging Right Now - Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea'

 Stalks of Aeonium arboreum emerge from a "skirt"
formed by an underplanting of Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea.'

I'm one of those green-thumbers who's always poking around the garden looking for ways to fill barren patches and bringing new vibrancy to dull container plantings. I especially love using cuttings to complete such landscaping projects.

Cuttings ... you'll often find me pinching off a piece here, adding it there, dipping it in root powder, sticking it in water.

Experimentation, I believe, is at the core of every gardener's soul. It fulfills the need to nurture, it encourages creativity, plus it's just plain economical. 

For example, look how I took a single $3.99 Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea' plant and spread the love to more than just a single location. Last fall, before the rains arrived, I took several cuttings of this golden beauty and basically stuck it everywhere. Now it's gone gangbusters in several of my container designs. 

I hope these ideas help inspire you to take advantage of this charming, low-maintenance, low-cost beauty that keeps on giving - in a pinch.

Want? Want? Want? Get yours at Annie's Annuals.
Specializing in rare and unusual annual and perennial plants, including cottage garden heirlooms and hard-to-find California native wildflowers.

Rhamnus alaternus, center, mixes and mingles with Heuchera pilosissima
and Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea.'

Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea' accented with  Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' and Hedera helix. 

This shot reveals the signature red stems of Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea.'

Oxalis spiralis 'Aurea' bears a unique combination of red stems and golden-yellow foliage
and flowers. I find it especially striking in a dark container with darker plants.