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Drought Tolerant Gardening: Society Garlic

Another good selection for the water-wise or desert garden, society garlic has some interesting lore and an easy-to-grow style. It will grow well in containers, for those looking to start a more portable garden as well. Edible and flowering, it is a great selection to have in mind during the planting season.

Society Garlic Lore

The name ‚”society garlic” comes from the belief that while it still has the same taste as the garlic bulb it will not give you the bad breath that comes from eating garlic. Society garlic has been in both the Amaryllidaceae family and the Alliaceae family, depending on the authority that is categorizing the plant. Either appear correct.

Tulbaghia violacea Description

A drought tolerant perennial, the society garlic plant has grass-like gray-green leaves and a flowering stalk that stands 2 feet high. Tubular flowers are small but prolific, between 8 and 20 in each umbel. While leaves have a garlic smell the flower is sugary-sweet smelling. It is a clump-forming plant. Blooms are lilac or lavender in color typically, although there is a variation that has pink and white.

Planting Society Garlic

The Tulbaghia violacea plant should be grow in full sun with a light sandy soil. It tolerates some shade but it will reduce the flowering on the plant. If grown in containers for indoors it will need very bright light. It is drought tolerant, but prefers to be moist and not dried out for the soil. It will grow well in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 10. Propagate a society garlic plant by rhizome division while the plant is in its dormancy.

Ways to Use Tulbaghia violacea

This is an ideal plant for a full sun garden as a border plant or as a non-aggressive growing perennial plant for containers. Plant it as a border and it can help deter moles and other creatures from the garden plot. It is a typical South African bedding plant and used with annuals. Make it part of a night garden as society garlic smells the sweetest at night. Leaves can be eaten and is used as a chive substitute. The bulb can be eaten and used as a garlic substitute.

With society garlic, or Tulbaghia violacea, there are many ways to enjoy its unique style. Whether having a water-wise garden is in your mind or just a good easy-to-grow plant for containers, it is sure to give you less trouble than some of the more exotic flowers.

Source:

Floridata

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