I have a weed that looks like clover that I believe is oxalis growing in my lawn and flowerbeds. Do you have any information on the best way to control this? -- Chelsea
Oxalis is a cool-season perennial weed that begins to grow in earnest in the late summer and fall as temperatures begin to cool and days shorten. Although it has three-part leaves like clover and resembles that plant, it is not related.
There are several species that grow in our area.
When oxalis is growing in beds, hand weeding can be done. However, this plant produces tubers, roots or bulbs that break off and stay in the ground during hand pulling, and the leaves will soon grow back.
To control the oxalis, you must dig up and remove the roots and bulbs attached to the leaves using a trowel or weeding tool. This should be done repeatedly through the cool season when oxalis is in active growth.
Mulches are not effective in controlling this weed. It will simply grow from the below ground parts through the mulch. Weed barriers or landscape fabrics applied over a thoroughly weeded area are more effective at preventing reemergence of this weed. These can be useful, to some degree, when practical for a particular situation. Pre-emergence herbicides do not work well since plants often grow from bulbs, rhizomes and roots, not seeds.
If you want to use a herbicide, there are no selective herbicides that will kill only the oxalis and not damage ornamentals if it gets on them. A herbicide that will control oxalis will also damage or kill any plant if you get it on their leaves. And you should use a systemic herbicide that will also kill the below ground parts.
The nonselective systemic herbicide glyphosate (Killzall, Eraser Grass and Weed Killer and other brands) is effective if you are persistent and make several applications as the oxalis reappears after treatment. Generally, three to five treatments are required.
Use glyphosate carefully and do not get it on the foliage of desirable plants.
Shield the foliage of desirable plants with a piece of cardboard during spraying or cover those plants with plastic bags. Or put a funnel-like device on the end of your sprayer to focus the spray only where you direct it. Do not try to spray on windy days.
Although we can use glyphosate quite close to desirable plants, it is critical not get glyphosate on their foliage. Spray just enough to thoroughly wet the foliage of the oxalis.
The best lawn herbicide to use to control oxalis in St. Augustine, zoysia, bermuda and centipede lawns is metsulfuron (MSM Turf). Make an application following label directions in late summer or fall when oxalis is noticed in the lawn. If any spots or small patches of oxalis show up after the initial treatment, treat the yard again or spot treat by just spaying spots where the oxalis is growing. If oxalis is not noticed until late winter/early spring, make applications then. Do not use this in beds.
We have a cut rose from a florist that is in water but is sprouting new branch growth. Is it possible to plant this flower? -- Curt
If the rose sends out roots from the base of the stem, you can plant it and it should grow. Pot it up in potting soil when the roots are a couple of inches long.
Garden tips
GET GROWING: The LSU AgCenter's 2025 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden calendar is available online at www.lsuagcenter.com. You can also find them at some nurseries. Featuring beautiful photographs by Louisiana gardeners and lots of useful gardening information, it's a wonderful gift for you or your gardening friends. The calendar costs $13.95 and proceeds support horticulture scholarships and research.
BULBS NOW: Finish planting spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, Dutch irises, narcissus, lilies, etc. by early December. This is your last chance to buy tulips and hyacinths, which must be refrigerated for at least six weeks before planting. Bulbs purchased and refrigerated now should be planted the second week of January.
FALL COLOR: Late November through early December is usually peak season for the leaves of our deciduous trees and shrubs to show their best color. Some of the trees that are most reliable about producing fall color here include green ash, sweet gum, crape myrtle, ginkgo, Southern sugar maple, Shumard oak, red maple, Japanese maple, flowering pear and Chinese pistachio. Shrubs such as sumac, Virginia willow and deciduous viburnums also have good fall color.