Tulbaghia fragrans Alba

Tulbaghia fragrans Alba is a perennial bulbous plant with a long, highly fragrant summer flowering! Its umbels, gracefully swaying at the end of long stems, are larger than those of the purple Tulbaghia and bear small, tubular ivory-white flowers crowned with a cream centre. It has fairly wide, ribbon-like grey-green leaves that resemble a small agapanthus with its semi-spreading habit. Hardy down to -10°C (14°F), it is an excellent plant for coastal borders where it will benefit from regular rainfall and mild temperatures. In regions with harsher winters, use it to create flowering pots that will perfume the patio or balcony and can be stored away from frost.

Tulbaghia belongs to the Alliaceae family, just like leeks, garlic, and onions. It is native to South Africa, specifically the meadows of Lesotho and Swaziland, which have rather dry winters and rainy summers. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a fleshy tuberous root forming a clump of thin, ribbon-like leaves, more or less evergreen depending on the winter temperatures, with a long summer flowering period.

The 'Alba' cultivar develops into a moderately spreading clump that widens over time through its rhizomes. The flowering plant measures about 50 cm (20in) in height and 30 cm (12in) in width. Its particularly long flowering period begins from April to June depending on the climate and lasts until the arrival of cold weather in September-October. In milder regions, it can flower almost all year round. Clumps of leaves emerge from the floral stems bearing large false umbels of small tubular flowers that resemble narcissus flowers, opening into 6-pointed white petals around a cream-yellow centre. The flowers emit a particularly powerful honey scent at dusk. They are followed by the formation of seeds that can self-sow. It has a clump of ribbon-like, wide, upright linear leaves, grey-green in colour, flexible enough to arch slightly, giving it an agapanthus-like appearance.

Tulbaghia fragrans 'Alba' is a very attractive plant appreciated for its extended flowering that lasts until autumn and brings a bit of colour to the garden or patio during a period of the year with few blooms. Along the edge of a bed or path, or in a rockery, it can replace agapanthus or be combined with them, choosing from the most compact varieties (Agapanthus Silver Moon, Golden Drop...). As it is quite sensitive to cold, especially in moist soil during winter, it is often preferable to grow it in a pot, except in very mild climates. This plant thrives outdoors in summer, exposed to light but without direct sunlight. It is a good coastal plant, tolerating sandy soils and sea spray. The most favourable climate for it is a mild oceanic climate. In Mediterranean regions, it will require regular watering in summer.