Genus: Tulbaghia

Common Names: society garlic

Description coming soon.

Distribution: Southern Africa

Tulbaghia violacea

Common name(s): society garlic

Description: a bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Purple-pink flowers in summer and fall.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Tulbaghia violacea 'Edinburgh'

Common name(s): big violet society garlic

Description: perennial; a selection with particularly large violet-pink flowers. T. violacea is a bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Purple-pink flowers in summer and fall.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Tulbaghia violacea 'Oro Verde'

Common name(s): golden society garlic

Description: perennial; a selection from California with a golden leaf margin and particularly wide foliage. T. violacea is a bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Purple-pink flowers in summer and fall.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 15 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Tulbaghia violacea 'Pearl'

Common name(s): white-flowered society garlic

Description: perennial; a white-flowered selection with pink buds that open to relatively large white flowers with tight, overlapping petals and blush pink centers. T. violacea is a bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Blooms in summer and fall.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace'

Common name(s): variegated society garlic

Description: perennial; a variegated form with white leaf margins that is possibly less hardy than other forms of T. violacea. A bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Purple-pink flowers in summer and fall.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 15 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Tulbaghia violacea 'Snow Flurry'

Common name(s): white-flowered society garlic

Description: perennial; our own 2009 introduction found as a chance seedling in the nursery. Light pink buds open to large white flowers in summer and fall. T. violacea is a bulbous, clumping perennial native to South Africa. It was aptly named by Dutch colonizers who found that the mild garlic flavor of the leaves and flowers did not result in offensive breath and was therefore an acceptable substitute for garlic at high society events. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- salads, soups, pasta, etc.

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought