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Tulbaghia Fairy Star - Society garlic

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star'
Society Garlic

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A small bulb forming a compact clump of fine, aromatic leaves with a garlicky scent. From May-June to September, it produces umbels of star-shaped pastel pink flowers. This edible variety can be used as a substitute for garlic in cooking. Suitable for borders or pots, it thrives in full sun, in light, well-drained soil that remains moist in spring and summer but drier in winter. Hardiness: down to -9°C.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time May to September
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Description

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.

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Tulbaghia: planting, growing and care
Family sheet
by Alexandra 10 min.
Tulbaghia: planting, growing and care
Read article

Tulbaghia Fairy Star - Society garlic in pictures

Tulbaghia Fairy Star - Society garlic (Flowering) Flowering
Tulbaghia Fairy Star - Society garlic (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time May to September
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 2 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, sweet honey fragrance
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Highly aromatic foliage with a strong garlic scent.

Botanical data

Genus

Tulbaghia

Cultivar

'Fairy Star'

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Other common names

Society Garlic

Botanical synonyms

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star'

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference24070

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Planting and care

Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' thrives in very well-drained, slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline soil. It prefers light, sandy soils. Its hardiness (-9°C) will be reduced in damp and poorly drained winter soil. A mix of leaf mould and sand makes an ideal growing medium. Choose a sunny position (or partial shade in our hottest and sunniest regions). It enjoys moist soil during its flowering period (spring-summer), but prefers drier conditions after flowering, in autumn and winter. It tolerates sea spray well. Transplant your young plants into a pot around 20cm in diameter containing 1/3 potting compost, 1/3 garden compost and 1/3 sand. Keep in a warm, well-lit spot (but out of direct sunlight) until the last frosts. You can then move your pot outdoors. Bring them back indoors at the start of autumn when temperatures begin to drop. In open ground, space the young plants 20cm apart.

In pots: During the growth period, water two to three times a week and apply a liquid fertiliser at least every fortnight to encourage good flowering. Reduce watering in winter. Repot every three years.

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Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 25 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, light, fertile, dry in winter

Care

Pruning instructions In autumn, cut back the clumps planted in the ground to 3 or 4 cm above the soil, and mulch generously to protect from the cold.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Needs to be stored

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