PLANT PROFILE

What A genus of vibrant and dramatic cormous perennials, best treated as annuals or short-lived perennials. The most widely grown and available are the Grandifloras, comprising of a variety of heights, colours and tones, which make up the bulk of the plants featured here. Also known as sword lily or sword flag.

Origins Gladiolus occur all over Africa, Europe and Asia, but the hybrids featured here are mostly of the species found on South African rocky slopes, marshland and seasonally dry grassland.

Season Mid to late summer. You can stagger flowering if planting is periodic from May. Expect flowers between 80 and 100 days after planting.

Size Large Grandifloras can reach 2m in height, dwarf cultivars achieve around 1.5m.

Conditions Gladiolus rapidly grow over a relatively short time period, therefore reasonably fertile, freedraining soil with a good moisture content in full sun will give you the best results. Corms should be lifted and dried overwinter or, in relatively mild parts of the UK or sheltered areas with free-draining soil, they can be overwinter in situ, provided the soil has been heavily mulched.

Hardiness Gladiolus are half-hardy perennials with have an RHS hardiness rating of H3 (hardy to temperatures of -5 -1ºC). Corms may be left in the ground year-round in gardens in USDA zones 7a to 10b, but should be lifted in cooler zones each autumn.

*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.