Plant 'Iron Cross'

Commonly known as the Iron Cross plant due to the distinctive dark purple-brown blotches at the centre of its four-leaf clover-like foliage, this Mexican native is a charming addition to UK rock gardens or containers. The bright green leaflets are accompanied by clusters of funnel-shaped, rosy-pink flowers that appear throughout the summer months. It grows from small, scaly tubers and maintains a low-growing, clump-forming habit, usually not exceeding 15-20cm in height. While it is relatively hardy in the southern UK (RHS H4), it may require some protection in colder northern inland areas. It prefers a position in full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained, sandy soil. The leaves have the interesting habit of folding up at night or during rainfall. It is versatile enough to be grown as a houseplant or used as an edging plant in summer bedding schemes.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.