Wildflower/Perennial
Society garlic
Tulbaghia violacea · Amaryllidaceae
Also called: Pink agapanthus, Wild garlic, Sweet garlic
Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is a low-water wildflower/perennial well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun to part shade.
Society garlic at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Tucson's intense low-desert heat and keeps foliage from scorching.
- Mature size
- 12-18 in. tall foliage, flower stalks to about 24 in.; clumps spread 12-18 in. wide and expand over time.
- Growth rate
- Moderate; clumps fill in steadily and naturalize.
- Bloom
- Lavender to pinkish-purple, fragrant star-shaped flowers in loose umbels., Spring through fall in Tucson, with peak in spring and intermittent bloom in mild winters.
- Cold hardiness
- Cold hardy to about 20-25°F; foliage may brown in hard Tucson freezes but rebounds from the roots in spring. Reliable in USDA 9a-9b.
- Soil
- Well-drained soil; tolerates the alkaline, lean soils of the low desert. Improve drainage with compost in heavy or caliche soils.
- Native range
- Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Best used as
- Mass planting and borders, Edging along walks and patios, Low-water perennial beds, Containers, Pollinator plantings, Culinary herb (edible leaves/flowers used like mild garlic chives)
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies; garlic scent repels deer, rabbits, and many pests.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic if ingested in quantity (contains organosulfur compounds); can cause gastrointestinal upset and mouth/skin irritation in pets and children. The strong garlic-onion odor deters dogs, cats, deer, and many pests. Use caution around pets and kids.
How to grow Society garlic in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established but looks best with regular moisture in the growing season. In Tucson, water deeply about weekly in summer heat, every 10-14 days in spring/fall, and roughly monthly in winter; reduce when temperatures drop.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Light feeder. Apply a balanced slow-release or a complete (e.g., 10-10-10) fertilizer once in early spring as growth resumes; a second light feeding in early summer supports continued bloom. Avoid heavy nitrogen.
Pruning & care
Shear or mow back tired, frost-burned, or floppy clumps in late winter to refresh. Remove spent flower stalks to tidy and prolong bloom; divide congested clumps every 3-4 years in fall or early spring.
Notes
Tough, low-maintenance accent perennial widely used in Tucson. The whole plant smells of garlic when bruised, which is why it doubles as a pest deterrent. Best appearance with light afternoon shade and occasional grooming; can self-sow and naturalize.
Sources: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum plant care sheets (desertmuseum.org); AMWUA / Water Use It Wisely (wateruseitwisely.com); North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (plants.ces.ncsu.edu); University of Arizona / Pima County Cooperative Extension