Tulbaghia violacea Kilimanjaro

Tulbaghia violacea 'Kilimanjaro' is a handsome African bulbous plant, which forms a clump of slightly greyish-green leaves, reminiscent of garlic. It bears an abundance of small pink-mauve star-shaped flowers in umbels throughout summer. Quite sensitive to the cold, it can be planted outdoors without risk in regions where the temperature does not drop below -10°C (14°F), in moist or slightly dry, light, and well-drained soil. Elsewhere, it will be easy to grow in a pot, and should be protected during winter.

It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, just like leeks, garlic, and onions. It originates from South Africa, specifically from the meadows of Lesotho and Swaziland, which benefit from rather dry winters and rainy summers. The plant's roots are tuberous and allow it to slowly grow by forming a thick and fleshy stump. The narrow and flexible leaves are shaded green with a touch of grey. They 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, even from 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 ending in a false umbel that brings together several flowers with 6 fused petals at the base, forming a small star placed on a tube. These flowers are also edible.

In the 'Kilimanjaro' variety, the buds are dark pink and give rise to delightful flowers that are more mauve than the type, with a cream-yellow centre. The plant reaches about 40cm (16in) in height at full flowering, with a diameter of 30cm (12in).

Tulbaghia 'Kilimanjaro' is a resilient plant, capable of enduring periods of drought. Nevertheless, it will be more beautiful and more floriferous if the soil does not dry out too much during summer. It prefers an oceanic or coastal climate rather than a very hot one. Plant the bulb at a depth of about 15cm (6in). A good mulch will help limit water loss through evaporation, but it is better to use a mineral mulch that retains less moisture than a layer of leaves, for example. The plant fears excess water, especially in winter. It can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F) in well-drained soil. Full sun or partial shade will suit it perfectly, as long as the substrate is flexible, 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 faithfully to the parent plant.

In a rock garden or in a pot, place Tulbaghia 'Kilimanjaro' with other plants that thrive in similar conditions, such as small agapanthus, Italian helichrysum, 'Masterpiece' thrift, or Pennisetum orientale 'Little Bunny'.