Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' — Perennial

Overview

Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' is a perennial in the genus Gladiolus, part of the Iridaceae family. It typically grows around 1.5 m tall. Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders and cut flowers. It is native to Africa.

About

Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' is a gladiolus cultivar in the iris family notable for producing several tall flowering spikes. It typically bears blooms ranging from yellow to scarlet, often streaked red over a yellow ground and usually with a yellow throat. It is derived from a widely distributed African species that is a principal parent of the large grandiflora hybrids. The plant flowers in the UK from July to September.

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 dalenii 'Boone' belongs to the Iridaceae and traces its ancestry to a broadly distributed African species found from eastern South Africa and Madagascar through tropical Africa and into western Arabia. That parentage is significant: Gladiolus dalenii is a main contributor to the grandiflora hybrid group and includes diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid races, with many resulting hybrids occurring as tetraploids. This genetic variety helps explain the large, showy spikes typical of the group. Give this cultivar a sunny, sheltered site in a light sandy, stony, gritty loam where soil pH sits close to neutral to slightly acid (about 6.5–7). The plant prefers free-draining conditions and a little grit mixed into the planting soil helps replicate its favoured medium. Such a position reduces the risk of waterlogging and encourages clean, upright flowering spikes. Use Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' at the rear of a summer border or where tall architectural spikes can be seen from a path or window; it reliably produces multiple tall flower spikes that open in sequence. Expect flowering from July to September and up to five tall spikes carrying yellow to scarlet flowers, often streaked red over a yellow ground with a yellow throat.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Gladiolus

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
UK hardiness: H4

Plant details

Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Height: 1.5 m
Suggested uses: Borders, Cut flowers
Native to: Africa

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Gladiolus dalenii 'Boone'

Cultivation: Plant corms in spring after risk of frost has passed. Provide full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly during growing season.
Pruning: Remove spent flower spikes to encourage further blooming and prevent seed formation.
Propagation: Corm division, seed