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Tulbaghia spp.

wild garlics

Amaryllidaceae Southern and eastern Africa

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Tulbaghia spp. is a genus of about 20 to 30 species of clump-forming perennial herbs in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to southern and eastern Africa and centered on South Africa. The plants grow from short rhizomes or corm-like bases and form tufts of narrow, strap-like to grass-like leaves 8-14 in (20-35 cm) long that smell strongly of garlic when bruised. From late spring through autumn they send up bare flower stalks 12-24 in (30-60 cm) tall, each topped by an open umbel of small, tubular, six-pointed star flowers. The flowers are usually mauve, lilac, or pink, with white and greenish forms in some species, and many carry a small central crown or corona. The species most often grown, T. violacea, the society garlic, blooms over many months and has edible, garlic-flavored leaves and flowers. Tulbaghia spp. grows in full sun in well-drained soil and tolerates heat, drought, and poor ground once established. It is half-hardy, surviving outdoors mainly in USDA zones 7-10, and the foliage is damaged or killed by hard frost. The garlic scent of the leaves deters deer and rabbits but can carry in the garden, and clumps need dividing every few years as they crowd.

Native Range

Tulbaghia spp. is native to southern and eastern Africa, with most species occurring in South Africa and extending north into tropical East Africa. The plants grow in grassland, on rocky slopes, and in open scrub, often in seasonally dry summer- or winter-rainfall regions.

Suggested Uses

Tulbaghia spp. is grown in sunny borders, gravel and rock gardens, edging, and containers, and as low massed planting in warm-climate and water-thrifty gardens. The long-blooming T. violacea is used along paths and walls where its scent and flowers are close at hand, and its leaves and flowers serve as a mild garlic seasoning. The flowers draw bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to Identify

Identify Tulbaghia spp. by tufts of narrow, strap-like leaves that give off a strong garlic or onion smell when crushed, and by leafless stalks bearing open umbels of small, tubular, star-shaped flowers in mauve, pink, or white. A small raised crown, or corona, often sits at the center of each flower. The garlic scent and umbel of star flowers separate it from true grasses and from ornamental onions.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Tulbaghia spp. flowers over a long season, mainly late spring through autumn, with T. violacea blooming from spring until frost in mild climates. Fresh umbels open in succession on new stalks across the warm months. In frost-free regions some species bloom nearly year-round.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

mauve, lilac, pink, or white

Foliage Description

green to gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Tulbaghia spp. in full sun in light, well-drained soil, including sandy and rocky ground, where it tolerates heat, drought, and coastal conditions once established. Plants take regular summer water for the heaviest flowering but rot in wet, heavy soils, especially in winter. Most species are half-hardy, surviving outdoors in USDA zones 7-10, while in colder regions they are grown in containers and overwintered frost-free. Lift and divide crowded clumps every few years in spring to keep them flowering well. A spring feed supports the long bloom season. The garlic-scented foliage is little troubled by deer, rabbits, or most pests.

Pruning

Tulbaghia spp. needs little pruning beyond removing spent flower stalks to keep it tidy and prolong bloom. Frost-damaged or tattered leaves are trimmed in spring as new growth begins. Crowded clumps are lifted and divided every three to four years rather than pruned.