Decorative garlic plants are a great addition to any yard, adding a pop of color and a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space.
Their beautiful purple flowers are a sight to behold, blooming in late spring and early summer.
You can plant them in a variety of locations, from containers to garden beds, as long as they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Their compact size makes them a great choice for small gardens or patios, and they're relatively low maintenance, requiring only occasional watering and fertilization.
The flowers are also edible, and can be used as a garnish or in cooking, adding a subtle garlic flavor to dishes.
Expand your knowledge: Plant Garlic
What You Need to Know
Society garlic is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
It's drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for water-conscious gardeners. You can expect it to grow 1-2 feet tall and wide, with moderate growth rate.
This plant is a great addition to any garden, offering a natural pest control and a beautiful display of star-shaped flowers in shades of lavender to purple.
Common Name(s)
The common name(s) of the Tulbaghia violacea are worth noting. This lovely plant is also known by other names, but I couldn't find any specific ones in the article section facts.
If you're looking to grow this plant, it's good to know that it's a perennial, meaning it will come back year after year. This is due to its life cycle as a bulb, which allows it to store energy and regrow in the spring.
If you're interested in using the Tulbaghia violacea in cooking, you're in luck - the flowers and leaves are edible and have a mild garlic flavor.
Growing and Caring
To grow a decorative garlic plant, you'll want to choose a spot with moderately fertile and well-drained loamy soil. This type of soil will provide the perfect conditions for your plant to thrive.
Protect your plant from harsh winter weather by covering it with a deep dry mulch or bringing it into an unheated greenhouse, unless you live in a very mild area. This will help keep it safe from frost and extreme cold.
To propagate your decorative garlic plant, you can either sow the seeds when they're ripe in a container in a cold frame or divide the plant in the spring.
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How To Grow
To grow well, find a spot with moderately fertile, well-drained, loamy soil. This type of soil is perfect for healthy growth.
Protect your plants from harsh winter conditions by applying a deep dry mulch or bringing container-grown plants into an unheated greenhouse. This will keep them safe and cozy.
Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame when they're ripe, or divide plants in the spring for new growth. This is the best way to propagate and get new plants started.
No pruning is required for these plants, so you can just let them grow and enjoy their natural shape.
Consider reading: House Plants That Grow in Water
Growing Zones 7-10
Growing in zones 7-10 means you're in a region with mild winters and hot summers. This climate allows for year-round gardening with minimal frost protection.
In zone 7, you can expect to see a wide variety of plants thrive, including vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, and flowers like roses and lavender.
The warm summers in zone 8 make it an ideal location for growing tropical plants like hibiscus and bougainvillea. These plants love the heat and can be grown outdoors year-round.
Zone 9 has a long growing season, allowing you to grow multiple crops of the same plant, like okra and southern peas. This means you can harvest okra in the spring and again in the fall.
In zone 10, the mild winters and hot summers create a unique gardening challenge. You'll need to protect your plants from extreme heat and potential frost damage during the winter months.
Favorite Alliums
Purple Sensation alliums are a great choice for early summer blooms, producing 2-4" diameter purple globes in June that seem to float above newly emerging perennials.
Their sturdy stems rise 24-30" high, making them a great addition to any garden bed.
Globemaster and Gladiator alliums take the prize for tallest and most architectural, with huge, globe-shaped flowerheads on 3-4' stems that bloom in early to mid-June.
Recommended read: Square Stems
Plant a group of deep-purple Globemaster or Gladiator alliums with white or pink peonies, delphiniums, or tall bearded iris for a real showstopper.
The Ozawa allium is a tidy, clump-forming plant that grows 18-20" high and produces flowers in late September or October, making it a great choice for bees and late-season bloomers.
Corkscrew allium is a great edging plant for dry soil, with blue-green leaves that twist like loose corkscrews and bloom in late summer.
Schubert allium is quite dramatic, with foot-wide umbels that look like an exploding pink fireworks display, and blooms in late spring or early summer.
Drumstick allium produces two-toned, burgundy-green flowerheads in early July, and is a great choice for adding some casual charm to your garden.
Yellow allium is a midsummer-blooming favorite that's well-suited to rock gardens, producing a cluster of florets that slowly emerges and becomes an exuberant display of color over a 10-day period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ornamental garlic spread?
Society garlic is a slow-spreading perennial, but it's not invasive, making it a great choice for gardens. It grows slowly and can thrive in a variety of conditions.
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