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Tulbaghia 'Himba' PP27,385 - A clumping evergreen perennial with tuberous roots from which emerge flexible grass-like 18 inch long by 3/8 inch wide blue-green leaves that have a slight garlic aroma – less strong than Tulbaghia violacea. From spring through summer arise the slender stalks to 18 to 24 inches high topped by an umbel of small rich purple flowers with orange centers composed of a raised corona holding the stamens.
Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional to regular irrigation - as with Tulbaghia violacea this plant should prove somewhat drought tolerant but will always looks better with more regular watering. Should prove hardy and evergreen to at least 25°F and root hardy to colder temperatures. Use as a low border plant - this plant differs from other cultivated Tulbaghia in that it is a little larger with broader, more fleshy leaves and flower stalks attractively angled outward, not vertically inclined like most others. Flower stems bunched together are attractive in a small arrangement and since the leaves and flowers are edible, it makes an attractive garnish on a plate of food.
The genus was named to honor Ryk Tulbagh (1699-1771) the early governor of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This plant is a hybrid created by Walt of Pretoria, South Africa with the seed parent Tulbaghia violacea var. maritima and the pollen parent a selected cultivar of Tulbaghia simmleri. It was introduced in South Africa by Fisk Horticulture as a society garlic that lacked the strong garlic fragrance that many find objectionable - we find that it still has some smell but it is far less overpowering than Tulbaghia violacea. This plant marketed in the US by Star Roses and Plants. This plant received it US Plant patent PP27,385 on November 15, 2016. The image on this page courtesy of Frisk Horticulture.
We grew this variety from 2016 until 2019 and continue to grow several Tulbaghia violacea cultivars including Tulbaghia violacea 'Edinburgh', Tulbaghia violacea 'Blanca', Tulbaghia violacea Purpleicious ['Hinetul1'], Tulbaghia violacea 'Oro Verde', Tulbaghia violacea 'Emerisa White', Tulbaghia violacea 'Savannah Lightning' as well as Tulbaghia simmleri (AKA T. fragrans) and Tulbaghia simmleri 'Alba' and the also the hybrids Tulbaghia 'Ashanti', Tulbaghia 'Cosmic', Tulbaghia 'Fairy Pink' and Tulbaghia 'Flamingo'.
This information about Tulbaghia 'Himba' PP27,385 displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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