Tulbaghia violacea

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn

Soil: Well drained and moist

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Tulbaghia violacea, commonly known as Society Garlic, is a deciduous perennial with a spreading, clump forming habit habit. Tulbaghia violacea is native to South Africa, in its native habitat it grows in rocky grasslands and stream banks in semi-desert to boggy areas. Its mid green leaves are strap shaped. Its fragrant violet flowers appear as terminal umbels and are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. Its roots are tuberous which aids its spread Tulbaghia violacea may be used as a fragrant specimen perennial suitable for sunny, well drained locations. When crushed its leaves and flowers smell of garlic. Once established, this plant is drought tolerant.

Tulbaghia violacea (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Tulbaghia violacea Flower (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Allium senescens

Allium senescens (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread:  20cm

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Sub Family: Alliaceae

Allium senescens is a deciduous/ semi evergreen bulbous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green are linear, hollow, up to 30cm long and 12mm broad. Its pink/ purple hermaphrodite flowers are terminal umbels of bell-shaped flowers, these emerge from a papery bract in summer.

Allium senescens Emerging Flowers (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Allium senescens, commonly known as German Garlic, Mountain Garlic or Broadleaf Chives, is native to central Europe to Siberia, China and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in dry rocky places.

The etymological root of the binomial name Allium was the ancient Latin term for garlic. Senescens is derived from the Latin senesco meaning ‘grow old’.

Allium senescens Leaf (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Allium senescens useful as part of mixed perennial planting scheme. Once established this perennial is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Allium senescens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies.

Allium senescens prefers moist, rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Allium senescens requires little maintenance. Clumps of this plant may be divided in spring or autumn.



Landscape Architecture

Hymenocallis speciosa

Hymenocallis speciosa (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Hymenocallis speciosa is an evergreen bulb forming perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 50cm long and 10cm across. Its fragrant white/ green flowers appear in terminal umbles in groups of up to 20.

Hymenocallis speciosa, commonly known as Green Tinged Spider Lilly or Spider Lilly, is native to the Windward Islands, in the east Caribbean. Hymenocallis speciosa is synonymous with Pancratium speciosum.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hymenocallis is derived from the Greek umhn meaning ‘thin skin’ and kalli meaning ‘beautiful’. Speciosa is from the Latin meaning ‘spectacular’.

The landscape architect may find Hymenocallis speciosa useful as a specimen houseplant with attractive, fragrant autumn flowers. A clump of bulbs may be grown in a single pot in a light position.

Hymenocallis speciosa Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Hymenocallis speciosa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Hymenocallis speciosa prefers moist, free draining soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining Hymenocallis speciosa as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly during its growing period. Watering should almost stop during the winter months as the plant is dormant during this period. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 21ºc to 29ºc, it will tolerate a temperature of 16ºc during its dormant period. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. Aphids and Mealy Bugs and Scale Insect may attack this plant.



Landscape Architecture