Winter Hardy Pond Marginal Bog Plant – Aquatic Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Description

Aquatic Society Garlic

(Tulbaghia violacea)

The most popular characteristic about society garlic is that they are a natural pest control solution. The odor of the plant is said to keep animals and pests away such as deer, rabbits, dogs, cats, groundhogs, moles, snails, snakes, gophers and a variety of bugs. They smell nice to humans.

Aquatic Society Garlic is a simple-to-grow, virtually effortless to maintain, and provides lovely clumping groundcover that produces delicate, star-shaped purple flowers. These perennial plants grow to about a foot tall and are wonderful in borders or as mass plantings.

Society Garlic is indigenous to rocky grasslands in Eastern Southern Africa, and reportedly naturalized in Tanzania and Mexico and propagates easily by dividing the clumps while the plant is dormant. When grown outdoors, plants will spread slowly by rhizomes but are not considered aggressive growers.

Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is actually NOT in the same genus as garlic and onions, which are in the Allium genus. They are however in the same plant family as onion. The common name “society garlic” comes from the old rumor that this plant tastes like garlic without leading to bad breath.

Society garlic is great for bright or sunny, water-wise garden. This easy-to-grow plant prefers sandy soil or gravel if planted in the pond, and performs best in terms of flowering with full sun. It can be grown in partial shade but it will not flower as well. Plants will thrive if roots are directly in the water. If planting as terrestrial, regular watering during the growing season will be required, less frequent watering when flowering, and reduced watering during the winter dormant period. Established plants will be able to survive extended droughts when necessary. Society garlic can tolerate moderate frosts and light freezes.

Minimum quantity for Aquatic Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) Bog Plant is 6