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Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' (Fairy Star Society Garlic) - A small clumping evergreen perennial to 12 to 14 inches tall in flower with tuberous roots from which emerge flexible narrow 6 to 8 inches long light green grass-like leaves. In spring through late summer arise the foot 12- to 14-inch-tall stalks holding umbels of mauve pink trumpet-shaped flowers that emit a pleasant light clove fragrance that is particularly strong in the evening.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil with occasional to regular irrigation - somewhat drought tolerant as is drought deciduous when not irrigated in summer months but will flower longer and remain in foliage with more regular irrigation. It can be winter deciduous as well so cold hardy y to temperatures to 20°F or below. This cultivar is noted as having a good tolerance to near seashore conditions. This very attractive smaller hybrid Tulbaghia has flowers that dance in a breeze and is great for using in small container, edging a pathway, in a rock garden, at the front of a meadow planting, in a crevice or wall planting and, with its fragrant flowers, attracts butterflies and bees.
Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' is a cross between Tulbaghia cominsii, a petite bulb forming species with thin grassy leaves and the durable Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea. It was a selection made from plants growing at Cotswold Garden Flowers in Evesham in the UK by one of nurseryman Bob Brown’s family members.
The genus was named to honor Ryk Tulbagh (1699-1771) the early governor of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. We also grow many 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' and Tulbaghia violacea 'Blanca' as well as Tulbaghia simmleri (AKA T. fragrans), Tulbaghia simmleri 'Alba' and the hybrids Tulbaghia 'Ashanti', Tulbaghia 'Flamingo', Tulbaghia 'Himba' vand Tulbaghia 'Cosmic'.
The information about Tulbaghia 'Fairy Star' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include 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 we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
