Tulbaghia violacea, also known as Society Garlic, has sweetly fragrant lilac-pink flowers that elegantly rise above a foliage clump of narrow, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves. The flowers are dainty and tubular in appearance, spreading to an open star with six-pointed tepals. This plant will bloom on and off all through summer and into autumn. The flowers emit a fragrance resembling a hyacinth; the leaves and rhizomes, however, have a strong garlic smell.
Landscape uses
Tulbaghia violacea is excellent for garden beds and borders, edging, herb gardens, and pots. Plant in groups like we did in our East Malvern project for the best visual impact. The flowers and leaves are also edible and can be used in soups and salads!
How to plant
Plant in moderately fertile and well-drained soil in full sun. It copes well in the heat but needs constant moisture throughout its growing season. You can also grow Tulbaghia violacea in full shade, but you won’t be rewarded with many flowers. It’s a clump-forming plant, spreading slowly via its rhizomes, but it won’t become aggressive. You can expect Tulbaghia violacea to grow to approx. 60cm high and 30cm wide. When planting, we recommend spacing pots approx. 20cm – 30cm apart.
Care and maintenance
Leave it! This plant will thrive best when left alone. You can deadhead the plant once flowers have died off, but that’s about it.
