Overview
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' is a upright bulbs in the genus Gladiolus, part of the Iridaceae family, with green foliage. Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cut flowers, borders and containers.
About
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' is a cultivar of the Gladiolus genus, which comprises perennial plants growing from corms with clusters of long, narrow, sword-like green leaves. This upright bulb thrives in full sun and well-drained, neutral loam soil, ideally in a sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing aspect. It produces tall flower spikes with funnel-shaped blooms during the summer, making it suitable for borders, containers, and cut flowers. The plant is hardy in the UK (H5) and requires staking for taller varieties. Corms should be planted 10-15cm deep after the last frost and can be propagated by division or cormlets.
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Gladiolus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Upright
- Foliage
- Green
- Suggested uses
- Cut flowers, Borders, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll'
- Propagation
- Division, Cormlets
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Slugs
- Disease resistance
- Botrytis, Fusarium bulb rot, Fungal leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll'?
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' need?
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' hardy in the UK?
Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Gladiolus 'Dancing Doll'?
Division, Cormlets.
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
