About
Gladiolus × colvillei 'Blushing Bride' is a cormous perennial in the iris family (Iridaceae) that produces upright flower spikes above narrow, sword-shaped leaves. It arises from rounded, tunic-covered corms and typically sends up single, unbranched stems bearing longitudinally grooved foliage. In the UK it flowers from July to September. The cultivar repeats its seasonal display through the formation of daughter corms.
About the genus
Gladiolus is a genus of perennial cormous flowering plants in the iris family (Iridaceae).
Wikipedia contributors, "Gladiolus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gladiolus
In the garden
Gladiolus × colvillei 'Blushing Bride' belongs to the Gladiolus group of cormous perennials in the iris family. Members of this genus occur across Asia, Mediterranean Europe, South Africa and tropical Africa, with a concentration of species diversity in the Cape Floristic Region. Plants grow from rounded corms protected by fibrous tunics and carry narrow, sword‑shaped leaves along erect, generally unbranched stems. The plant produces its summer flowers in the UK from July to September and completes its above-ground cycle each year, relying on corm renewal for the next season. As a cormous Gladiolus it benefits from a site where corms can remain dry in winter and where leaves can mature after flowering so energy returns to the corms. Taller spikes may need support where exposed to strong winds. Use this cultivar where upright, architectural summer spikes are wanted; its seasonal timing makes it useful for midsummer displays. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally so the corms form daughter corms that supply the following year's growth.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Gladiolus genus
- Gladiolus 'Nicholas' (S)
- Gladiolus 'Rose Laguna'Sword Lily
- Gladiolus byzantinuseastern gladiolus, Byzantine gladiolus, Byzantine sword-lily
- Gladiolus callianthusAbyssinian gladiolus
- Gladiolus cardinaliswaterfall gladiolus
- Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone'
- Gladiolus liliaceusSword Lily
- Gladiolus primulinus
