Alphabetical Plant Listing

Gladiolus dalenii (Dragon's Head Sword Lily)

Dalen's Gladiolus, Dragon's Head Sword Lily, Maid of the Mist, Gladiolus primulinus, Gladiolus natalensis, Gladiolus dracocephalus


A striking ornamental plant, Gladiolus dalenii (Dragon's Head Sword Lily) is a clump-forming cormous perennial boasting up to 5 tall flower spikes bearing up to 14 intensely scarlet orange to orange-yellow or red flowers, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm), each with a hooded upper petal and a bright yellow throat. The petals are often streaked or flecked with red. This species blooms at different times of the year depending on the location. While blooming almost every month of the year in its native habitats, it usually blooms in late summer to early fall. The blossoms rise above the foliage of narrow, gray-green leaves. Native to South Africa and tropical Africa, as far as western Arabia, Gladiolus dalenii is found in open grassland, woodland, and scrub and in rocky areas, often among rocks along streams. Although it favors moist habitats, it can also be found in dry habitats with only a short wet season. Vigorous and easy to grow, this gladiolus species is the parent of many cultivars developed in Europe in the early 1900s that have become very successful cut-flowers.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • Best flowering occurs in full sun in well-drained soils. This is a summer-growing gladiolus that requires some summer irrigation.
  • A good candidate for beds and borders and cottage gardens. Spectacular in cut flower arrangements.
  • Keep an eye out for thrips, aphids, slugs, gray mold, and corm rot.
  • Lift when the foliage dies back, discard old corms and store new corms in a dry frost-free place until planting in the spring. In milder areas, a thick dry winter mulch may be sufficient to prevent frost damage.
  • Propagate by separating cormlets when dormant. Plant your corms 4-6 in. deep (10-15 cm).
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Gladiolus dalenii is native to South Africa and tropical Africa.

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.Read More

Not sure which Gladiolus - Sword Lilies to pick?
Compare All Gladiolus - Sword Lilies

Buy Gladiolus dalenii (Dragon's Head Sword Lily)

Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
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, Perennials
Plant Family Gladiolus - Sword Lilies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Depth 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies

Guides with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies


Forest and Kim Starr, Flickr

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
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, Perennials
Plant Family Gladiolus - Sword Lilies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Depth 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies

Guides with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies

Plant Calculator

How many Gladiolus dalenii (Dragon's Head Sword Lily) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Gladiolus dalenii (Dragon's Head Sword Lily)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.