Tulbaghia ‘Cosmic’ is a society garlic selection valued for its unusual flower coloration and extended bloom season. This evergreen perennial combines the durability, adaptability, and drought tolerance of traditional society garlic with flowers displaying a blend of cream, pale pink, and lavender tones surrounding a prominent yellow corona. The yellow floral center is uncommon within the genus and contributes to the multicolored appearance that distinguishes this selection from standard society garlic cultivars.
Habit & Size: Forms dense clumps of narrow, gray-green, grass-like foliage approximately 6–12 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide. From midsummer through fall, slender flower stalks rise to approximately 2 feet tall bearing clusters of cream to pale pink flowers with darker pink striping and a prominent yellow central crown. Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The foliage releases a garlic-like fragrance when crushed.
Cultural Requirements: Performs best in full sun to light shade and adapts to a wide range of soil types. Like most society garlic selections, it performs well under a broad range of irrigation regimes, from low-water landscapes to regularly irrigated garden settings. Well suited to Southern California landscapes, including coastal gardens, inland valleys, commercial landscapes, parkways, and low-water plantings. Tolerant of heat, coastal conditions, and a wide range of environmental conditions.
Landscape Uses: An excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, containers, pollinator gardens, and low-water landscapes. Useful in Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens, coastal plantings, commercial landscapes, and fire-wise gardens. The unusual flower coloration provides a distinctive alternative to traditional purple-flowered society garlic selections while maintaining the durability, long bloom season, and ease of culture for which Tulbaghia is valued. Particularly useful where a long-blooming perennial with softer flower colors is desired.
Identification Note: Distinguished by its multicolored flowers combining cream, pale pink, lavender, and a prominent yellow corona, a flower color combination that is uncommon within the genus.
Pests and Cultural Considerations: Generally low maintenance, long lived, and relatively trouble free. Plants benefit from occasional grooming to remove spent flower stalks and maintain a tidy appearance. Best flowering is achieved in full sun, though plants remain attractive and perform well in light shade.
- Common Name:
- Society Garlic Hybrid
- Mature Height:
- 1-2'
- Mature Spread:
- 1-2'
- Exposure:
- Sun
- Growth:
- Evergreen
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Soil:
- Not particular
- Foliage Color:
- Gray Green
- Flower Time:
- Summer
