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Gladiolus ‘Costa’ (Sword Lily)

Sword Lily 'Costa', 'Costa' Sword Lily

Sword Lily 'Costa', Gladiola 'Costa', Gladioli Costa, glaieul Costa, lavender Glad, purple Sword Lily

Gladiolus ‘Costa’ (Sword Lily) is particularly attractive with its spikes of gently ruffled, lavender blossoms trimmed in violet-blue. Each flower spike counts up to 12 blooms and rises among erect narrow, deep-green sword-shaped leaves. Spectacular on its own, in the summer garden or in a vase. Since the flowers open from the bottom of the spike up, sword-lilies provide a long-lasting floral display, each flowering spike blooming for up to two weeks.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm). The bigger the corm, the more chance it will produce larger plants and more spectacular flowers.
  • Best flowering occurs in full sun in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant adapts to a wide range of soils except clay. Provide consistent moisture during the growing season and do not allow the soil to dry out. After flowering, you may reduce watering.
  • Ideal for cutting, this sword-lilies deserve a prime spot in beds, borders and are well suited for containers.
  • Sword-Lilies bloom for 2 weeks or so. To extend their colorful show, you may plant them every two weeks from the last frost date until early summer. It typically takes 10-12 weeks from planting to flowering.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Impressive Gladiolus Flowers


Prized for their majestic flower spikes, are popular flower bulbs. Whether used in borders, containers or as cut flowers, Gladiolus (Sword-Lilies) always provide a spectacular effect with their rich and cheerful colors and their breathtaking vertical lines. With very little work needed, they will burst into bloom and add bright notes of summer color to the garden, in your pots or inside your home. However, some basic rules need to be followed to enjoy beautiful and impressive flowers for several months.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Gladiolus
Common names Sword-Lily, Gladiolus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spacing 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Gladiolus ‘Tricolore’ (Sword Lily)
Gladiolus ‘Volcano’ (Sword Lily)
Gladiolus ‘Charming Lady’ (Sword Lily)
Gladiolus ‘Her Majesty’ (Sword Lily)
Gladiolus tristis (Marsh Afrikaner)
Gladiolus ‘Vista’ (Sword Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Gladiolus ‘Nymph’ (Sword-Lily)
Gladiolus ‘Elvira’ (Sword-Lily)
Gladiolus ‘Robinetta’ (Sword-Lily)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)

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Gladiolus (Sword-Lily)
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Impressive Gladiolus Flowers
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Gladiolus
Common names Sword-Lily, Gladiolus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spacing 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Gladiolus (Sword Lily)
Not sure which Gladiolus (Sword Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

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