With a Filippi “code de secheresse” of 5 and its pretty as well as edible leaves and flowers, Tulbaghia violacea is an excellent plant for mediterranean gardens.
This plant of the Allium family comes from South Africa and flowers in spring and fall in my garden. It tolerates up to -10°C and needs a light, well-drained soil. It can reseed itself but will mostly spread through rhizomes.
In colder climated the leaves may be cut before winter, but down here that’s not really necessary – unless you want to harvest them for the kitchen: Tulbaghia violacea leaves and flowers are edible with an intense garlic aroma that does not stay on the breath. Apparently that’s why this plant is also called “society garlic”.
This is so far the only allium plant I’ve found that can truly replace the wild garlic (Allium ursinum) I love but that won’t thrive down here.
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