Tulbaghia violacea

tulbaghia

• Position: full sun
• Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich, loamy soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period:July to October
• Flower colour: lilac
• Other features: the leaves smell similar to garlic
• Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection)
  
  Clusters of large, star-like, lilac flowers, which have a slight scent that becomes more pronounced in the evening, top upright stems from midsummer to early autumn. These appear above dense clumps of attractive, grass-like, greyish green leaves. Best grown at the front of a sunny, well-drained border or in a gravel garden, Tulbaghia is often called 'society garlic' as the leaves smell similar to garlic and onions, and can be useful as a pest repellent plant especially when grown under roses.
  
  
• Garden care: Split and divide large clumps in spring.