Tulbaghia violacea

Tulbaghia violacea

A graceful, clump-forming perennial with strappy blue-green foliage and slender stems topped with starry lilac-pink flowers, Tulbaghia violacea offers both ornamental beauty and culinary value. Blooming from midsummer into autumn, it provides long-lasting colour and light fragrance, while the leaves and flowers are edible with a gentle garlic flavour.

Perfect for gravel gardens, Mediterranean borders, or herb beds, it thrives in hot, sunny positions with good drainage. Its drought tolerance and resistance to browsing make it a resilient and low-maintenance addition to coastal planting schemes.

Specifications:

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Spread: 25–40 cm

• Flowering: July to October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy

• Maintenance: Cut back spent flower stems and remove old foliage in spring.

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:
Well-suited to the island’s free-draining soils and warm, sheltered sites. Performs best in raised beds, gravel borders, and sunny containers. Tolerant of dry spells and salt-laden winds once established.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:

• Salvia greggii ‘Jemima’s Gem’ – Hot pink salvia complements Tulbaghia’s soft lilac tones

• Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’ – Drought-hardy and great for pollinators

• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Pairs beautifully with Tulbaghia’s upright form

• Verbena rigida ‘Oneness’ – Extends flowering interest and pollinator value

• Stipa tenuissima ‘Ponytails’ – Adds light movement and texture to gravel schemes

🌟 The Green Standard Tip:
Grow it near seating areas or in herb gardens where you can enjoy its subtle scent and edible qualities. Deadhead regularly to extend the flowering season, and lift and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour.