About
A perennial to 90cm, growing from a corm, with erect sword-shaped leaves nearly as tall as the flowering stems. Deep magenta, funnel-shaped flowers with paler markings on the tepals, are 5cm in width, and borne in erect spikes from late spring to early summer.
About the genus
Gladiolus are cormous perennials with fans of sword-shaped or linear leaves and spikes of funnel-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Coastal, Gravel garden
Native toS Spain, Sicily
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant corms 10-15cm deep and 10cm apart in any well-drained with full sun. Ideal for planting in groups in the border or in gravel gardens, suits naturalising in long grass and meadows if planted out when in growth; spreads freely from cormlets. See bulbs: naturalising and bulb cultivation
PruningTidy after foliage dies down if necessary
PropagationPropagate by separating cormlets when dormant
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to gladiolus thrip, aphids and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to gladiolus corm rot, grey moulds (Botrytis), Fusarium bulb rot, gladiolus core rot, gladiolus dry rot, gladiolus scab and neck rot, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases