Family Amaryllidaceae.
Originating from South Africa.

• Brilliant white variegated aromatic leaves form neat, grassy clumps.
• Scented mauve-pink tubular flowers appear in profusion all summer and autumn.
• Easy to grow and drought-tolerant, ideal for coastal gardens and pots.

Variegated Society Garlic in Your Garden

Beautifully bright and slender leaves form clumps under clouds of scented, swaying tubular flowers, borne on slender stems. This variety adds spectacular foliage to the incredibly long, late-spring-to-late-autumn flowering season common to all Tulbaghias.

Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’ is hardy in southern and coastal UK gardens, growing to around 50cm tall and wide. Its neat, compact habit is perfect for growing in pots, at the front of borders, and edging paths. Norfolk and Suffolk’s gravel gardens and seaside climates suit it perfectly, planted in drifts as an outstanding flowering ground cover.

As a member of the onion family, along with leeks, shallots, and chives, it has edible foliage that can be used in salads. The slender leaves emit a soft garlic aroma, pungent if crushed, adding a heady addition to other Mediterranean aromatic species. Plant it with lavender, rosemary, and salvias to create an aromatherapy haven and a pollinator’s pantry for your local bees.

Did you know?

The Zulu and Xhosa peoples in South Africa have traditionally used Tulbaghia to treat many ailments. Scientific analysis has confirmed its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Growing Tips for Your Drought-Tolerant Flowering Perennial, Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’

• Soil and sun: Well-drained, even poor sandy soil in full sun.
• Planting: best in spring. Despite its drought-tolerance, never plant a dry plant! Plunge the pot into water to thoroughly drench the rootball before planting. Water during its first season until it is rooted.
• Watering: easy; highly drought-tolerant once rooted.

Drought-tolerant flowering perennials that perform as well as Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’ are hard to find. In fact, it may be the best of all, due to its incredibly long flowering season and low maintenance requirements. The brightness of this variety’s foliage offers a mouthwatering opportunity to create dramatic contrast with darker plants.