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Tulbaghia violacea is often confused with:
Allium tuberosum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Thymus vulgaris Thymus vulgaris
x Heucherella Heucherella

Tulbaghia violacea

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
tul-BAG-ee-uh vy-oh-LAH-say-uh
Description

Society Garlic is a tender perennial in the Amaryllidaceae family. Leaves and rootstock have a strong garlic smell when bruised, hence the common name.  The plants have good drought and heat tolerance but do best with adequate moisture during the growing season.  In cooler regions, they grow as annuals in patio or deck containers.  Or they can be brought indoors to overwinter.  They can survive the winter in the ground if provided with protection and adequate mulch. They work well in rock or herb gardens or planted along borders and edges.  This plant is moderately salt tolerant.

The edible flowers have an oniony to peppery flavor and may be eaten raw or cooked.

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Early Summer to Fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problem. Slugs and snails may damage the foliage.

Plants this may be confused with: Garlic chives Allium tuberosum 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Sun to Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#edging#deck planting#lavender flowers#rock garden#border planting#container plant#patio#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#edging#deck planting#lavender flowers#rock garden#border planting#container plant#patio#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tulbaghia
    Species:
    violacea
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Edibility:
    Flowers and leaves are edible (mild garlic flavor), and may be used in soups and salads.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Triangular capsules split to reveal small black seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    20” stalks tall bearing terminal umbels of fragrant lilac-pink flowers. 3/4 inch flowers have 6 pointed tepals and a center tubular corolla.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Linear green grass-like leaves are arching and smell of garlic when crushed
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    20-inch smooth green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity
    Salt