Pink Stars Society Garlic

Pink Stars Society Garlic (Tulbaghia cominsii 'Pink Stars') is a small, soft-textured evergreen perennial that stays 20cm to 30cm tall and wide. Fine blue-green grassy leaves form a neat clump, and slender stems carry dainty pale pink star flowers from November to March. It is tougher than it looks, taking frost, drought and part shade, and it multiplies readily so a few plants soon become many.

Why you'll love it

• Pink flowers for months. Pale pink blooms appear from November to March, a long season for a plant this size.
• Soft blue-green foliage. The grassy leaves stay on the plant all year, so the clump looks tidy and cool even out of flower.
• Frost and drought tolerant. Once established it handles cold snaps and dry spells, and it is happy in most soils.
• Compact. At 20cm to 30cm high and wide it fits edges, rockeries, pots and small cottage beds.
• Multiplies for free. Divide congested clumps in spring and plant the pieces elsewhere to grow your garden at no cost.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Plant 25cm apart in a single row for a continuous soft edge. With a mature width of 20cm to 30cm, neighbouring clumps just touch.

Groundcover drifts. The same 25cm spacing in staggered rows knits into a low, flowering cover beneath taller plants.

Rockeries. Neat clumps sit comfortably among stones in sunny pockets, where the blue-green leaves and pink flowers soften hard edges.

Pots and containers. It suits a pot on a patio or step, and the flowers sit nicely at eye level on a table.

Growing Pink Stars Society Garlic in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It tolerates frost and drought, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens alike. Flowering is heaviest in a sunny spot.

Soil. It is not picky about soil, and it thrives in moist conditions too. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture around the roots.

Water and feed. Mulch around the clump and keep the water up for the first 12 weeks or so while it establishes, then it needs little extra. Give it a feed in spring.

Pruning and dividing. No pruning is needed beyond removing tired leaves. In spring, divide congested clumps so the plant has better access to nutrients, and replant the divisions. Society garlics can upset the stomach of dogs and cats if eaten, so site them with that in mind.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Stars Society Garlic as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small tuft of leaves and builds into a full clump over its first year or two. Plants travel upright and settle within a few weeks.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Drought tolerant plants
• Plants for rockeries
• Low growing plants for garden borders
• The perfect edging plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 25cm apart for a continuous edge or low drift. The mature width is 20cm to 30cm, so the clumps meet within a season or two.

How do I divide it?

In spring, lift a crowded clump, split it into pieces with roots attached and replant them where you want more plants. Water them in and keep them moist while they settle.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Like other society garlics, it can upset the stomach of dogs and cats if eaten, so it is not ideal where pets chew plants.