About
Gladiolus papilio, the butterfly sword lily, is a clump-forming perennial to 1 m with narrow, grey-green leaves. From summer to autumn, arching flower stems bear up to ten hooded flowers flushed white and lilac-purple on the outside, with purple and yellow markings inside the lower petals. A strikingly beautiful and unusually coloured wild gladiolus for a sunny border.
About the genus
Gladiolus, the sword lilies, are cormous perennials with fans of upright, sword-shaped leaves and tall spikes of funnel-shaped flowers in summer. They range from tall, large-flowered border hybrids to smaller, elegant wild species from Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toS E South Africa
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 10 to 16cm deep on a bed of sharp sand in fertile, well-drained soil. Lift when foliage dies back, discard old corms and store new corms in a dry frost-free place until planting in the spring. In milder areas a thick dry winter mulch may suffice
PruningNo pruning required
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