Gladiolus italicus (Field Gladiolus)

Gladiolus italicus (Field Gladiolus) is an upright, cormous perennial boasting loose spikes of up to 20 pinkish-purple flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), in late spring to early summer. Each flower is adorned with paler pink markings on the lower petals, and long stamens and styles protruding from the throat. They are borne above slender, sword-shaped, dark green leaves. Distributed across Southern Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean, Field Gladiolus prefers hot, dry conditions in summer once it goes dormant.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Provide consistent moisture during the growing season and do not allow the soil to dry out. After flowering, you may reduce watering. In milder areas provide a thick, protective winter mulch.
• Puts a terrific show in beds and borders when mixed with other perennials or ornamental grasses. Great for cutting too!
• No serious pest and disease issues. Keep an eye out for gladiolus thrip, aphids, slugs, gray molds, and gladiolus corm rot.
• Propagate by separating cormlets when dormant.
• Lift when the foliage dies back, discard old corms and store new corms in a dry frost-free place until planting in the spring.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to Southern Europe, Asia.