Tulbaghia Violacea

Wild Garlic complete care guide South Africa

Indigenous

Ground Covers

Bulps

Perennials

Evergreen

Description:

Wild garlic is a fast-growing bulb with long, narrow, strap-like leaves, which is slightly fleshy and smell strongly of garlic when bruised. The pinkish-mauve tubular flowers are held above the leaves on a tall flower stalk.

Other names:

Wild Garlic

Other Names

Wild Garlic

Plant Summary

Size:

30cm (H) x 25 cm (w)

Flowers:

October – March

Growth Rate:

Fast

Origin:

Watering Needs

Light Preference

Frost Sensitivity

Maintenance

Light Preference

Tulbaghia Violacea

care guide

When to fertilise

September – October (Early spring)

How to Fertilise

Fertilise Tulbaghia plants with a slow release 5-10-5 fertiliser around the plant and water into the soil. Repeat fertilisation two more times six weeks apart.

Tulbaghia also does well if you replenish the compost and mulch it annually instead of using a slow-release fertiliser.

Wild garlic doesn’t require significant pruning, but you can cut back dead leaves and flowers to keep your plant looking neat. However, this isn’t necessary to promote plant health.

Tulbaghia Violacea is grown easily in a loamy soil with an acidic, neutral or alkaline pH.

This drought resistant plant doesn’t require frequent watering, but it flourishes when watered once a week.

When

October to March (in the second or third year of the plants)

How to encourage flowering

Plant in a full sun spot to get the most abundant flowering from your Tulbaghia.

To keep your wild garlic looking neat, deadhead petals and the spent stalks once the flowers are spent.

Tulbaghia Violacea

propagation

Propagate wild garlic from seed or by division.

When propagating by seed

When to plant: September -October

How to plant: Sow seeds in deep seed trays and plant out in their second year. Feed seedlings with water soluble fertiliser every 4 – 6 weeks.

When propagating by division

Water the existing plant well before preparing the new position by digging in compost or aged manure. Ensure that you make the hole at least 10cm deep.
Select the stem you wish to remove from the main plant and remove soil from the outside.
Angle your trowel straight down between the stem and the main plant and insert the trowel straight down to separate the stem.
Gently remove the stem by tugging it upwards until it is loose. Make sure that your new stem has roots on the end before planting. If it doesn’t try again with another stem but insert the trowel deeper.
Plant in the final position at the same depth as it was originally (with the white part underground). Mulch with a good quality compost and water well for the first few weeks to help the plant settle.