Overview
Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR is a upright bulbs in the genus Gladiolus, part of the Iridaceae family, with green foliage. Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR 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 'Fat Boy'PBR is a bulbous Gladiolus with an upright habit that flowers from July to September. It bears green, sword-like leaves and produces vertical flower spikes suited to cutting. Plant in full sun on a neutral loam with good drainage, in a sheltered, south-, west- or east-facing spot. Recommended uses include cut flowers, borders and containers.
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 'Fat Boy'PBR is a cultivated member of the Iridaceae grown from bulbs and carried for its tall, upright flower spikes. As a Gladiolus it presents a vertical accent in the garden and is selected here for summer flowering, reliably producing stems between July and September. The foliage is green and sheathing, supporting the spike as blooms open. For best results give this bulb a position in full sun planted into a loam-based soil with a neutral pH and secure drainage; standing wet will reduce performance. Choose a sheltered aspect — south-, west- or east-facing sites suit it — and note the plant is rated H5, classed as hardy for typical UK conditions. Use Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR where tall, single-stem blooms are required: it performs well as a cut-flower supplier for late-summer displays, provides vertical structure in mixed borders, and can be grown in containers placed in a sunny, sheltered spot. Leave the lower foliage intact until after flowering to rebuild the bulb, and enjoy the sequence of spikes through July to September as your source of late-summer stems.
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 'Fat Boy'PBR size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Upright
- Foliage
- Green
- Suggested uses
- Cut flowers, Borders, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR
- 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 'Fat Boy'PBR?
Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR need?
Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR hardy in the UK?
Gladiolus 'Fat Boy'PBR 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 'Fat Boy'PBR?
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