Tulbaghia violacea Ashanti - Society Garlic

Tulbaghia violacea 'Ashanti' is a lovely African bulbous plant, which forms a clump of grey-green leaves resembling garlic, and from which numerous small pink star-shaped flowers emerge in umbels throughout the summer. Quite sensitive to cold, it can be planted outside without risk in regions where the temperature does not drop below -10°C (14°F), in a cool or slightly dry, light, and well-drained soil. Elsewhere, it will be easy to cultivate in a pot, and should be protected during winter.

Tulbaghia violacea belongs to the botanical family Amaryllidaceae. Native to South Africa, it grows in meadows in the eastern part of the country and in some adjacent countries. The plant's roots are tuberous, allowing it to slowly grow by forming a thick and fleshy stump. The narrow and flexible leaves are in shades of green with a touch of grey, and are semi-evergreen depending on the climate. Tulbaghia is a close relative of ornamental garlic, and shares with them a very pronounced odour when the leaves are crushed, or even at a distance when it is hot. Tulbaghias are also edible and can be used in cooking like chives! Between June and October, the clump continuously produces numerous slender stems, each with a false umbel consisting of several flowers with 6 fused petals at the base, forming a small star. These flowers are also edible.

In the 'Ashanti' variety, the buds are dark pink and give rise to lovely light pink and then pale pink flowers, with the centre remaining slightly darker. The leaves are very grey, almost silvery. The plant reaches about 40 cm (16in) in height at full flowering, with a diameter of 30 cm (12in).

Tulbaghia 'Ashanti' is a resistant plant, capable of enduring periods of drought. However, it will be more beautiful and more floriferous if the soil does not dry out too much during the summer, and it will prefer an oceanic or coastal climate rather than a very hot Mediterranean climate. Plant the bulb at a depth of about 15 cm (6in); a good mulch will help limit water loss through evaporation, but it is better to use a compost mulch that retains less moisture than a layer of leaves, for example. Excess water is indeed what the plant dislikes the most, especially in winter, as well as cold temperatures, it can withstand up to -10°C (14°F) in well-drained soil.  Full sun or partial shade will suit it perfectly, as long as the substrate is loose, well-drained, and not too poor. It is easy to divide the plant from time to time in spring. Sometimes, the plant self-seeds spontaneously, but not always in a colour true to the parent plant.

In a rockery or in a pot, associate your Tulbaghia 'Ashanti' with other plants that love the same conditions, such as small agapanthus, Libertia 'Taupo Sunset', Sierra San Antonio shrubby sage, or Dorycnium hirsutum.