Overview
Gladiolus melleri is a garden plant in the genus Gladiolus, part of the Iridaceae family. It is native to Democratic Republic of the Congo.
About
Gladiolus melleri is a perennial in the iris family that develops from rounded corms and bears upright spikes of flowers. It is a member of the genus Gladiolus and is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the UK it reliably flowers from July to September. Leaves are typically narrow and sword-like as in other Gladiolus species.
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 melleri is a corm-forming member of the Iridaceae and sits within the genus Gladiolus; its origin is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As with other species in the genus, it produces a vertical flowering stem bearing closely spaced blooms and narrow, sword-shaped leaves, and it flowers in the UK between July and September. Propagation and routine care follow the patterns used for cormous gladioli: raised from corms and treated as a summer-flowering bulb. Planting is normally done from corms, and attention to free-draining soil and good air movement around the foliage will reduce the risk of rot. Taller-flowering stems are often supported as they develop to keep the spikes upright. In a UK garden Gladiolus melleri works where a bold vertical accent is required in summer borders or where cut spikes are wanted for summer displays. In cooler areas consider overwintering spent corms if local conditions are prone to prolonged freezing; in other sites corms are traditionally left in the soil and lifted only when required. Expect flowering spikes from July to September.
Plant details
Gladiolus melleri size, habit and characteristics
- Native to
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
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
