Prime Perennials Nursery

Tulbaghia We became serious enthusiasts of this South African genus about 4 years ago, and thanks to Dave Fenwick who holds the NCCPG National Plant Reference Collection, our admiration for these plants has just grown and grown. To date, this delightful genus of easy to grow South African plants has been little known and their common name of 'Society Garlic' doesn't do much for the old image either. Admittedly some [but not all] have that odor if the foliage is bruised, when they are divided, or if you accidentally sit on one. However many also have heady clove/incense/cinnamon scented flowers which can stop you in your tracks. They attract vast quantities of beneficial insects, butterflies moths and bees. The flowering period is extensive, with many starting to flower in March [at this altitude] with others extending the season right through to December. [with protection.] While a few of these accommodating plants are reasonably hardy and can be planted in the garden, the rest are easily accommodated in pots, ideal for the patio or a hot spot in the garden. The smaller species particularly can then be viewed in close proximity and its an easy job to then remove them into a frost free environment for the winter. We keep ours plants on the dry side over winter, in the tunnel which frequently gets down to -7F. and we have had very few losses. All thrive in full sun, in a moist open free-draining compost mulched with 1/2in layer of round aquarium gravel to protect the surface from drying out in summer. My thanks to Dave Fenwick for his extensive enthusiasm knowledge and advice on this genus. Visit The African Garden from our links page. Its well worth a visit, with some wonderful images and his garden is open yearly under the National Garden Scheme. Definitely not to be missed if you're in the vicinity. A lot of Tulbaghia in the trade are misnamed, therefore we have added Dave's initials before the descriptions to indicate those we have acquired from him. Because Tulbaghias are a promiscuous lot we only supply divisions of these. We tell you if we are supplying a seedling of. Read petal for perianth. We have two startling new introductions of our own this year. Tulbaghia ‘Hazel’ and Tulbaghia ‘Cosmic’ Read on...
	Tulbaghia acutiloba	From S. African seed. Flowers unseen, but should be pendulous, with orange corona, and purplish reflexed perianth segments. Early spring. 9cm pots.
	Tulbaghia acutiloba ex Sentinal Peak	[DF] High altitude form, collected for Dave Fenwick. Delightful tiny flowers, with orange corona and green perianth segments. Lovely in a pan for close proximity viewing. Few only.
	Tulbaghia 'Bob Brown'	Tulbaghia 'Bob Brown' NEW CULTIVAR NAME Registered 17/6/2008. With Bob Browns permission I have registered and named the plant synonymous with Tulbaghia new var. 5 Bob Brown, and Tulbaghia violacea x cernua [or x T. verdoorniae] Originating at Bob Browns Nursery Cotswold Garden Flowers, it was originally sent to Dave Fenwick for appraisal, and has since then been circling in the horticultural trade under the above synonyms. Meanwhile I feel it is has sufficient qualities that earn it a name in its own right. We have found it hardy over wintered in pots outside, and as for the flowers, the inner perianth segments are pale-green becoming flushed purple-pink towards the margins. The outer segments have a fine purplish-brown central line and also become flushed purplish-pink, but of a darker shade, becoming particularly dark at the margins towards and apex. All of the segments have incurved margins. The corona is large, fleshy 3 lobed and soft creamy-yellow. The flowers, approx 22 in all are held on long 3.5cm pedicels, which give the flower head a very distinct open and airy feel, the flowers appearing to almost explode atop the scape. The flowers retained a green hue when placed against the house wall where it only received full sun until noon. June onwards. [2'] 61cm. Lovely! [1 litre deep pot]
	Tulbaghia 'Cariad'	NEW CUTIVAR NAME (October 2008) Cariad is Welsh for sweetheart, an apt name for this new sweetly scented Tulbaghia which produces an abundant display of small flowers of the very palest pink held on 20 cm stems. In contrast the corona which is at first green, changes to darkish mustard brown and matures brownish orange. The relatively fine linear foliage is bright-green, with a light sheen, and while erect at the beginning of the season, becomes recumbent with age. Consequently this marvellous wiggy effect is most effectively displayed in a pot on the patio in order that the habit of the foliage is shown off to advantage. Obligingly it bulks up relatively quickly and is deciduous, thus likely to be hardy, though untried here as yet. The flowering period is from late April onwards. 6 flowered umbels.
	Tulbaghia cernua hybrid x	A pleasant change from the pink tones, this has the palest green perianth segments with a mustard-yellow corona that changes to golden- yellow as the flower matures. The overall effect is of tiny white and yellow Narcissus with narrow foliage. Clumps up well.
	Tulbaghia coddii	Syn. poeticus. A little gem, forming tufted clumps of filliform leaves, with highly scented, pure-white flowers with a yellow corona, from May/July, off and on through to September. Could almost, from a distance be mistaken for a tiny Narcissus. Hardy. Small plants available Autumn 2005
	Tulbaghia cominsii x violacea	Forms strong clumps of fine foliage, with umbels of very pale pink flowers, with a darker eye, opening from lilac-pink buds. [15-18&] 38-46cm. 9cm pots.
	Tulbaghia cominsii x violacea Fairy Star	Exactly as T. cominsii x violacea, but in the form we have the pale-pink perianth segments are slightly more slender and elongated. But you'd need a keen eye to notice. An established clump is quite stunning.
	Tulbaghia Cosmic	NEW CULTIVAR NAME. We were stunned when we spotted this rogue seedling amongst a pot of T. violacea while rooting around at Bob Browns Nursery, so we quickly bought it, propagated it, and took one back to Bob, who said we could name it. We now have sufficient stock to release it for the first time, and hope you will find it just as stunning as we do. Opening from dark buds, small distinctive starry reflexed lilac flowers lined with a fine golden stripe down each perianth segment and contrasted with a large golden-yellow corona. wonderful combination and different. Flowering height [22"]
	Tulbaghia galpinii	Tiny, self fertile species with filliform leaves and starry green and white flowers. Best viewed in pots. Early in flower March onwards. 3" pots. [8"] 20cm.
	Tulbaghia Hazel	NEW CULTIVAR NAME. We have pleasure in at last being able to introduce this new Tulbaghia, which we have been nurturing for the last 4 years. We think it is a unique color break and very special. So much so we have named it after my Mum Hazel. Small subtle pale brownish-pink perianth segments, complimented with a brown corona tipped with yellow. This matures to golden-yellow tipped with dusky orange. Very special with a heady aroma of incense at night. Flowering height [2'] 61cm.
	Tulbaghia leucantha	This is a form of T. leucantha which last year we listed as T. alliacea. Vigorous and hardy, the 20" stems are topped with clusters of tiny Khaki-green flowers, with an orange corona. Flowers June/July and August/October.
	Tulbaghia 'Lilian'	NEW CULTIVAR NAME. (September 2008) This new introduction will appeal to those who are prefer quiet contemplation. It is a dainty to delight the eye and nourish the senses. What it lacks in flower size it more than compensates by releasing its strong clove scented perfume by day and night. The 8 flowered umbels which stand proud of the linear foliage are composed of dainty flowers of palest purple-pink with a corona which is at first yellow-green, maturing to light yellow-brown. For its modesty and charm, it is therefore named after my grandmother Lilian Evans. Height 30-37cm. May - July and intermittently afterwards.
	Tulbaghia montana	[DF] Very small species, forming tufts of filliform leaves, with titchy flowers of brown, with grayish-violet scapes, and prominent startling, brilliant-orange elongated corona. Best displayed in a pot. A little beauty.
	Tulbaghia natalensis [pink form]	Beautifully clove scented, violet-pink flowers, opening late spring. [Used apparently to keep snakes away.] Glad we don’t have that problem! [15"] 38cm. Apparently hardy.
	Tulbaghia natalensis B & V 421	[DF] This small plant has delightful clove scented mauve flowers with an orange brown corona. Should be reasonably hardy, with protection and flowers in late spring.
	Tulbaghia natalensis CDR84	[DF] A little beauty, with the heady aroma of cloves and pinkish flowers with an orange corona Has apparently proved hardy in Shropshire. [8"] 20cm.
	Tulbaghia verdoornia	From Bob Brown. Small flowers of pinkish-mauve. June-October. 70cm. Tender. Name unconfirmed. It may be a seedling of T. verdoornia.
	Tulbaghia violacea	Forms vigorous clumps, with terminal umbels of strong mauve, flared flowers. June/November. [15"] 38cm.
	Tulbaghia violacea pallida	Like T. violacea, but with white flowers opening from pink buds.
	Tulbaghia violacea Pearl	Syn Paarl [DF] Few only of this beauty imported by Dave. Palest pink buds opening to large heads of glistening white. Nice.
	Tulbaghia violacea REF 212	[DF] Palest pink buds opening to white, with a dissect perianth. Few only.
	Tulbaghia violacea REF 231	[DF] Bicolored small mauve flowers, with a white corona. [18"] 46cm
	Tulbaghia violacea 'Seren'	NEW CULTIVAR NAME. (September 2008) The word Seren in Welsh means Star, a befitting name for this sturdy eye catching new cultivar. Flowering from May - November the flowers are dark pink-violet whilst alternate petals are prominently and consistently splashed with white at the lower margins. You can expect 12-19 flowered umbels held on strong 66 cm stems. Good for flower arranging, wonderful in a pot on the patio, and we have even tried it against the house wall which only gets full sun until early afternoon. It thrived. I'm pleased with this.
	Tulbaghia violacea Silver Lace	Terminal clusters of violet-purple flowers, contrasted with silver variegated foliage. May/Nov. Frost free conditions for winter. [1'] 30cm
	Tulbaghia violacea var. maritima ex Vosa	[DF] Mauve-pink flowers composed of short but broad perianth segments which overlap, forming a pleasing rounded flower. [Few only]
	Tulbaghia violacea var. maritima	Seedlings of the above. Unflowered but showing the same waxy broad foliage characteristics as the parent, Not sure what you'll get.
	Tulbaghia violacea var. robustior	[DF] This is like a T. violacea on steroids. Eye catching flowers 3-4 times larger. Definitely a Tulbaghia with attitude. Reasonably hardy with shelter. Few only.
	Tulbaghia white hybrid	Forms strong plants, with clusters of starry white flowers opening from pink buds. May/Oct. [1'] 40cm. Said to be hardy but untried here.