Overview
Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' is a upright bulbs in the genus Gladiolus, part of the Iridaceae family, with green foliage. Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' 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 'Sugar Plum' is an upright cultivar of the Gladiolus genus, known for its perennial growth from corms and clusters of long, narrow, sword-like green leaves. It produces tall flower spikes with funnel-shaped blooms, thriving best in full sun with a south, west, or east-facing aspect in sheltered locations. This cultivar prefers fertile, well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH and is hardy to H5 in the UK. Suitable for use as cut flowers, in borders, or containers, it is typically planted after the last frost and may require staking to support its height during the summer season.
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 'Sugar Plum' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Upright
- Foliage
- Green
- Suggested uses
- Cut flowers, Borders, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum'
- 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 'Sugar Plum'?
Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' need?
Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' hardy in the UK?
Gladiolus 'Sugar Plum' 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 'Sugar Plum'?
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
