Extremely ornamental, Gladiolus cardinalis (Waterfall Gladiolus) is a delicate-looking cormous perennial with gracefully arching stems bearing a spike of up to 12 brilliant scarlet red flowers in late spring to early summer. Each widely funnel-shaped flower, up to 3 in. long (8 cm), features striking white spear-shaped marks on the lower three petals. When seen in flowers in masses, the effect is truly brilliant. Forming a sturdy clump of upright, sword-shaped leaves, Waterfall Gladiolus is found growing on wet cliffs and waterfalls in the southwestern Cape area of South Africa where it is pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly.

• Grows up to 18-30 in. tall (45-75 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm).
• Best flowering occurs in full sun in well-drained soils. Needs moisture throughout the year even while dormant.
• A good candidate for beds and borders, cottage gardens, and patio containers.
• Keep an eye out for thrips, aphids, slugs, gray mold, and corm rot.
• Propagate by seed or by separating cormlets when dormant. Pant your bulbs 7-8 in. deep (17-20 cm).
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Gladiolus cardinalis is native to South Africa.