Gladiolus
( glad - ee - OH - lus )
At-A-Glance InformationThese impressively-flowering plants, nicknamed 'Glads', need full sun and regular waterings during their growth and bloom periods. The flowers will attract myriad pollinators to your garden, including hummingbirds and butterflies. They are prized for their colorful blooms which form on spikes. Flowers will open from the bottom to the top of the spike when they bloom. Great as part of cut flower gardens and when planted in border beds behind low, mounding plants. They can also be grown in pots with annuals around the bottoms.
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Gladiolus Species and Varietals
Gladiolus is latin for 'small sword' which is a reference to the plant's leaf shape. They grow best in zones 4-9 and 12-24, though this can vary somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Baby Gladiolus These plants grow well in zones 4-9, 12-24 and H1, though can be grown in zones 2b and 3 if they are a particularly hardy species. This is a group of hybrids that have flaring blossoms up to three inches across borne on short, loose spikes. They will flower in late spring in white, pink, red and lilac, sometimes marked with contrasting colors. They will form large clumps if allowed to stay in the ground season after season. |
Gladiolus grandiflora Hybrids (Garden Gladiolus) This group is very popular and widely-known, with flowers spikes reaching 3-6 feet tall that bloom in late spring and summer. Flowers are up to 8 inches across and come in a range of colors. This group also includes 'Mini Glads' which grow up to 3-4 feet tall and hold up to 18 flowers per spike. |
Caring for Gladiolus
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 339 - 340, Gladiolus
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