Tulbaghia 'Purple Eye'
society garlic 'Purple Eye'
A rhizomatous perennial growing to about 40cm. It has long, narrow, grey-green foliage with an oniony-smell when crushed. The flowers are tubular, with spreading petals giving a star-like effect, white or very pale purple with a mid-purple eye, and produced over a long period from early spring to early autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Purple White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in well-drained, loam-based compost in full light. Water freely when in growth, reduce water when in flower and again as leaves wither in autumn. Keep almost dry when dormant
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
Cut faded flowers to the base to prolong flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse whitefly
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.