Tulbaghia violacea

society garlic

Eventual height & spread

Tulbaghia violacea

society garlic

  • 3 × 9cm pots
  • £27.00 £29.97
  • In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
  • 9cm pot
  • £9.99
  • In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
Delivery options
  • Standard £5.95
  • Position: full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: moderately fertile, reliably moist soil
  • Rate of growth: fast
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)


Clusters of large, star-like, lilac flowers, which have a slight scent that becomes more pronounced in the evening, top upright stems from midsummer to early autumn. These appear above dense clumps of attractive, grass-like, greyish green leaves. Best grown at the front of a sunny, well-drained border or in a gravel garden, Tulbaghia is often called 'society garlic' as the leaves smell similar to garlic and onions, and can be useful as a pest repellent plant especially when grown under roses.

Please note that we are offering these plants in pots for beds and borders. Tulbaghia grows in a range of poorly-drained or boggy soils and are also available in aquatic pots, with a suitable soil mix, for shallow water submergence. Please see this link to view.


  • Garden care:
    Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant in early spring. Cut back the faded flowerheads in late summer and autumn.
  • Goes well with