Gladiolus (Sword-Lily)

Real eye-catchers in the garden, Gladioli, also known as sword lilies, are cormous perennials boasting spectacular spikes of funnel-shaped flowers in a surprisingly wide range of colors. Borne atop attractive fans of sword-shaped or linear leaves, they always provide a dramatic effect with their rich and cheerful colors and their breathtaking vertical lines. Easy to grow if some rules are followed, they deserve a spot in beds and borders, containers, or in floral arrangements.

What to know about Gladiolus

• Native to Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean region, Gladiolus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants of the iris family (Iridaceae). Several species are widely cultivated for cut flowers and as garden ornamentals.
• Gladioli are perennials that grow from bulb-like corms covered with fibrous papery skin.
• Gladioli typically produce a sword-like stem up to 2-6 ft. tall (50-180 cm), sporting trumpet-shaped flowers, sometimes with ruffled or frilled petals in a wide range of pastel or bright colors.
• Blooming from late spring until frost, depending on geographic area and species, Gladioli flower for 2 weeks or so, their blossoms opening in succession from the bottom up.
• Some species are hardy in hardiness zones 5, 6, or 7 and overwinter well as long as the soil is well-drained. Other Gladiolus species and cultivars are winter hardy in zones 8-11. In these warm climates, the corms can be left right in the ground. However, if you live in a colder area and want to save your corms for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
• Gladioli grow back year after year and gently spread and multiply under good growing conditions, creating drifts of colorful flowers.
• The flowers attract hummingbirds. Gladioli are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Beware of mice, squirrels, chipmunks,  voles, and gophers: they love the gladiolus corms!

Main Gladiolus Types

Spring Blooming – Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus)

• Native to the Mediterranean area, Byzantine Gladiolus is a bulbous perennial that features narrow sword-shaped leaves in a fan of 3-5 erect flowering spikes, each bearing up to 15 bold, magenta funnel-shaped flowers, 2 in. wide (5cm).
• Blooming in late spring to early summer, this eye-catching beauty grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and gradually spreads to form large clumps.
• Hardy to zones: 6-10

Summer Blooming – Grandiflora Hybrids

• Grandiflora hybrids are the most essential group of gladioli, with several hundreds of cultivars available in a wide range of colors and color combinations.
• Bold and glamorous, they boast giant flowers, up to 6 in. (15 cm), and the longest spikes. Their strong personality emerges as soon as their buds start revealing the colorful petals about to open. Petals may be frilled, ruffled, semi-ruffled, or plain.
• They grow to about 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and can produce up to 40 buds. Their spikes can bear up to 12-14 open flowers at one time.
• They typically bloom from midsummer to early fall and are hardy to zones 8-11.
• Dwarf grandiflora hybrids: these miniature gladioli produce 2-3 ft. stalks (60-90 cm) and display 2-3 in. wide (5-7 cm), open-faced flowers. They usually do not need staking and are a popular choice for flower gardens, containers, and cutting gardens.

‘Mon Amour’

‘Ben Venuto’

‘Espresso’

Summer Blooming – Nanus and Dalenii Hybrids

• Nanus hybrids, also known as butterfly gladioli, include varieties in which the plants and flowers are not as large as those of the Grandiflora hybrids. Less formal looking, their dainty flowers come in a kaleidoscope of colors ranging from white, pink, salmon, and red with conspicuous darts of color on the upper petals.
• They grow to about 20-36 in. tall (50-90 cm) and can produce 2 or 3 slim spikes, carrying up to 18 widely spaced, 3 in. (7 cm) blossoms.
• They typically bloom from early to late summer and are generally hardy to zones 5-10. They can stay in the ground year-round in zone 6 and warmer but will require added protection in zone 5 (winter mulch).
• Dalenii hybrids (formerly Gladiolus primulinus) grow up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and can be recognized by their hooded flowers and very narrow leaves. They bloom later than the butterfly hybrids, with one stem of up to 24 blooms. The primulinus glads are especially useful to cold winter gardeners because they are hardier than the grandifloras. Dalenii hybrids will survive the winter in zone 6 and warmer.

‘Nymph’

‘Robinetta’

crocosmia’Charming Beauty’

Summer to Fall Blooming species

Some examples of summer-blooming African species are Gladiolus dalenii, G. cruentus, G. oppositiflorus, G. papilio, and G. saundersii.

Gladiolus papilio

Gladiolus dalenii

Gladiolus papilio ‘Ruby’

Summer to Fall Blooming – Gladiolus callianthus murielae (Abyssinian Sword Lily)

• Native to Africa, it boasts tall, arching stems with 10–12 wide open stars, creamy-white with a mysterious deep purple center. The flowers are well-spaced, have a graceful appearance, and provide a wonderful fragrance.
• Hardy to zones 7-10, it grows up to 2-3ft. tall (60-90 cm).
• Plant in spring for bloom in late summer and fall.

Not sure which glad to pick for your garden or containers? Compare them all!