Tulbaghia Fairy Star - Society garlic

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' is a compact variety of Tulbaghia, notable for its long-lasting, pastel pink, star-shaped flowers. This small bulb grows in low clumps, somewhat resembling grass. Its slender, light green leaves emit a strong garlic fragrance and can be used in cooking. A charming border plant, it forms a lovely ground cover in coastal gardens. It can also be used to create flowering pot displays to be sheltered indoors during winter in less temperate regions.

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star', from the Amaryllidaceae family, is a result of cross-breeding between Tulbaghia cominsii and T. violacea. This cultivar stands out for its more modest size compared to the classic Tulbaghia violacea, while retaining its hardiness and excellent adaptability to varied conditions. A herbaceous perennial, it forms a dense clump of thin, ribbon-like leaves, whose persistence depends on winter temperatures. Its flowering extends over a long period in moist soil, and its crown can withstand temperatures as low as -9°C in well-drained soil. The 'Fairy Star' variety gradually spreads via its rootstock, forming a compact clump that expands over time. At maturity, it reaches around 30 cm in height. Its flowering, which spans from May to September depending on the climate, produces inflorescences in false umbels, composed of tubular flowers opening into six-petalled, delicate pink stars. These emit a light honey fragrance, often masked by the characteristic garlic scent that permeates the entire plant. Its fine and linear foliage is bright light green. Though it grows upright, it has a certain flexibility, allowing it to arch slightly. Highly aromatic, it releases a garlicky odour detectable from several metres away, particularly in warm weather.

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' makes a lovely addition to gardens or balconies. Plant it along borders or pathways, provided its scent doesn’t bother you. Otherwise, position it slightly further back. In borders, it pairs beautifully with short ornamental grasses: Carex, Stipa, Fescue, etc. You can combine it with dwarf agapanthus, catmint, or lavender… In the vegetable garden, Tulbaghia protects carrots, lettuce, beetroot, and peach trees. As it is somewhat frost-sensitive, it is often preferable to grow it in containers.

You can use finely chopped leaves or even a few flowers in salads. It is an excellent coastal plant, tolerating sandy soils and sea spray well. The most favourable climate for it is mild oceanic. In Mediterranean regions, it will require regular watering in summer to avoid disappearing over time.