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Tulbaghia violacea 'Blanca' (Big White Society Garlic) – A clumping evergreen tuberous root perennial that forms a clump of semi-succulent grass-like foliage to 2 feet tall by as wide with aromatic garlic smelling gray-green leaves that are up to 14 to 18 inches long by a 3/8 inch wide. In mid spring through until frost (blooming through a mild winter!) and rising well above the foliage emerge the vertical 24- to 30-inch-tall stalks holding a tight umbel of 10 to 20 white flowers, that are noticeably larger than any other Tulbaghia variety we grow and have just a hint of violet on some flowers. New flowers are produced continuously through the season right up to a first frost and after flowering this variety has not produced any seed pods. This plant is about the same height at 'Emerisa White' but the flowers are larger and have less of a pink blush. Like the species, the foliage has a strong garlic-like odor on warm days and when bruised by touching or from frost - more information about this odor can be found on our Tulbaghia violacea page.
Plant in full sun to bright shade in most any fairly well-draining soil and irrigate regularly to occasionally - can withstand lengthy dry periods but looks much better when irrigated and can tolerate and thrive in wet soils. It also flowers best when grown in full sun. It is evergreen to short duration temperatures down into the mid-20s°F and root hardy to around 10°F, so useful in USDA Zone 8 and above and has moderate tolerance to salt laden winds, so useful in coastal plantings when provided with some protection from direct exposure - not for the strand but good behind a wall or structure. Remove the spent flower spikes by pulling out rather than cutting to keep plants tidy. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects yet are not attractive to browsing animals and its succulent leaves resist burning, so is a durable deer resistant, firesafe and attractive accent plant in the meadow, border or rock garden and useful in pots, for the edge of the lawn, or even in shallow water around a pond (with crowns above water level) and the flowers and foliage can be used fresh or cooked for seasoning.
Tulbaghia violacea comes from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Province) where it grows along forest margins and stream banks and was used for food and medicine by the indigenous Zulu tribes. The genus was named to honor Ryk Tulbagh (1699-1771), an early governor of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The specific epithet means violet-like in reference to the color of the typical flowers (but not of this variety). It is called Society Garlic because the scent is not quite as strong as the related true garlic (Allium sativum), particularly on the breath of one who has consumed it. We found this plant at Abe Nursery in Carpenteria in the summer of 2020 and thank them for providing us with enough stock to produce our first crop.
We also grow several other Tulbaghia violacea cultivars including Tulbaghia violacea 'Edinburgh', Tulbaghia violacea 'Oro Verde', Tulbaghia violacea Purpleicious ['Hinetul1'], Tulbaghia violacea 'Emerisa White'and Tulbaghia violacea 'Savannah Lightning' as well as Tulbaghia simmleri (AKA T. fragrans), Tulbaghia simmleri 'Alba' and the hybrids Tulbaghia 'Ashanti', Tulbaghia 'Cosmic', Tulbaghia 'Flamingo', Tulbaghia 'Fairy Pink' and Tulbaghia 'Himba'.
The information about Tulbaghia violacea 'Blanca' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
