Alphabetical Plant Listing

Gladiolus papilio (Butterfly Gladiolus)

Butterfly Sword Lily, Butterfly Gladiolus, Goldblotch Gladiolus


Gladiolus papilio (Butterfly Gladiolus) is a clump-forming cormous perennial with gracefully arching stems bearing up to 10 yellow or white flowers, suffused violet, with hooded upper petals and darker yellow patches on the lower petals. These nodding flowers make this species unique. Blooming in late summer and early fall, the blossoms of this hardy sword-lily rise above the foliage of narrow, gray-green leaves. This plant has underground stolons and can multiply and form dense colonies in optimum growing conditions. Native to South Africa, Butterfly Gladiolus occurs in wetlands or marshes and is distributed in the eastern, summer-rainfall part of the country. This plant was cultivated as early as the 1860s at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in Britain.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 6-18 in. wide (15-45 cm).
  • Best flowering occurs in full sun in moist but well-drained soils.
  • 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 suffice.
  • 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 papilio is native to South 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

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Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
Heat Zones 8 – 10
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 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 6" – 18" (15cm – 45cm)
Depth 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies

Guides with Gladiolus - Sword Lilies


Dick Culbert, Flickr, Chanticleer Garden

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 8 – 10
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 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 6" – 18" (15cm – 45cm)
Depth 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, 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

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