Duo of Tulbaghias

This Tulbaghias Duo brings together two distinct forms of South African Garlic, the botanical species Tulbaghia violacea and its variety 'Pearl'. These South African bulbs form a clump of slightly greyish-green leaves, reminiscent of garlic, from which umbels of numerous small star-shaped flowers emerge throughout the summer. The whole measures 45 cm high, with vegetation expanding over the years. They are quite cold-sensitive and can be planted outside without risk only in regions where the temperature does not drop below -10°C, in moist or slightly dry, light and well-drained soil. Elsewhere, they will be easy to grow in pots, to be protected in winter.

The duo consists of:

x 1 Tulbaghia violacea: flowers in pink to lilac

x 1 Tulbaghia violacea 'Pearl': flowers quickly changing from pearly pink to white.

These tulbaghias thrive in open ground in milder regions or in pots to be stored in winter. You will plant them in spring in well-drained and moderately fertile soil, in a sunny location. They can be planted in full sun in flower beds, borders or rockeries. Plant the bulbs about 15 cm deep; a good mulch will limit water loss through evaporation, but it is better to use a mineral mulch, which will retain less moisture than a layer of leaves, for example. Excess water is what the plant hates most, especially in winter. Full sun or partial shade will suit it perfectly, as long as the substrate is soft, well-drained and moderately rich: too poor, the flowering is reduced, too rich, the plant produces many very green and soft leaves and becomes more susceptible to diseases. It is easy to divide the plant occasionally in spring. Sometimes it self-seeds to spread through your flower beds.
In a rockery or a pot, plant your Tulbaghias with other plants such as dwarf agapanthus, African pyrethrum, or even silver wormwood, all on a carpet of the lovely Acaena 'Blue Haze'.