The MGS Forum
Plants for mediterranean gardens => Bulbs (including other geophytes with corms, tubers, rhizomes etc) => Topic started by: pamela on September 14, 2012, 11:23:51 AM
-
I have just received some Tulbaghia violacea 'Alba' from Bulb’Argence. They have been freshly dug with a lot of roots and about 20cms of green leaves. For best results should I wait for them to dry out before planting (probably one month or so, I think) or should I plant them now?
-
Definitely plant now. What I'm discovering with Tulbaghia is that they have to divided up before they get too big. Some of my big clumps which were beautiful in the spring have collapsed and look a dried up mess whereas the ones I divided are green and flowering.
-
Fleur, is this the right time of year to split them up?
-
Thanks Fleur, it was helpful but it was not quite what I was asking. I want to know if its more or less (or it doesn't matter) beneficial if bulbs are planted dry or green. In other words is it best or not if they die down out of the soil .
-
Jill, the plant in the second picture has to be divided now or it may not survive, but the first is just coming into flower so I’ll leave it until this flush of flowering is over. You can cut them with a carving knife, they don’t mind. I have two little self-seedings from the first plant.
Pamela, no they don’t like to die right down, they stay green all year with summer irrigation and flower from autumn into the winter. If you plant now they should flower for you soon.
-
Fleur, Thank you, your experience has provided an explanation for the loss of the first clump of Tulbaghia which I planted a few years ago. Until now I couldn't figure out why it ran out on me. I'll know better in future! and catch them before they get too far gone.
Jill
-
Thanks Fleur..excellent info. BTW how old is that top clump of yours and was it planted from one solitary bulb?. I was considering planting in groups of 3 or 5 but now I'm not so sure.....
-
The clumps are 4 - 5 years old but they were quite big to start with. I then learnt to divide up the pot plants I bought into at least four. I think three to five stems/bulbs would be fine.
-
Plenty of information now Fleur ...much appreciated!
-
Tulbaghia violacea
A shopping Mall near Corinth has a large area planted with plants suitable for the Mediterranean climate. I took photos in November 2017 and again in November 2019. However, I was not able to acquire a list of the plants used.
Recently a new friend of mine settled in her new home and started creating a Mediterranean garden. A visit was scheduled for February but was cancelled because of high winds and re scheduled for March, Hmm. A while ago she sent me some photos of the garden as it is now and there it was, one of the mystery plants. By return of emails she told me it was Tulbaghia.
Then I remembered it was one of the plants used in Sparta when a children's playground was entirely re made
The first photo is from June 2014 in the children's playground, Sparta
The next two photos are from Mare West in November 2017
The last two photos are from Mare West in November 2019
Tulbaghia is mentioned many times in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
I have chosen issue number 86, October 2016 for you to read
UPS AND DOWNS IN A ‘DRY’ GARDEN AND WATERING by
Kate Marcelin- Rice