Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Tulbaghia maritima

sea society garlic

A hardy, bulbous, clump-forming perennial to 40cm with narrowly linear, glossy green, aromatic foliage. Fragrant, lilac-pink flowers appear on tall stems above the foliage from mid-summer to early autumn

Synonyms
Tulbaghia cepacea var. maritima
Tulbaghia violacea var. maritima
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Pink Green
Autumn Purple Pink Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Tulbaghia are bulbous or rhizomatous perennials with linear, onion-scented leaves and umbels of small, star-shaped flowers with a small cup-like corona

Name status

Correct

Plant range
South Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in any moderately fertile, well-drained, loamy soil. Protect in all but the mildest areas over winter with a deep dry mulch or bring container grown plants into an unheated greenhouse

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown when ripe, in containers in a cold frame or division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.