Gladiolus papilio ‘Ruby’ (Butterfly Gladiolus)

Ruby Gladiolus, Butterfly Sword Lily 'Ruby', Butterfly Gladiolus 'Ruby', Goldblotch Gladiolus 'Ruby', Gladiolus ecklonii 'Ruby', Gladiolus papilio red-flowered, Gladiolus papilio ruby-flowered

Gladiolus papilio Ruby, Ruby Gladiolus, Butterfly Sword Lily 'Ruby', Butterfly Gladiolus 'Ruby', Gladiolus ecklonii 'Ruby', Gladiolus papilio red-flowered, Gladiolus papilio ruby-flowered, Summer Gladiolus, Summer Sword Lily, Fall Gladiolus, Fall Sword Lily

Particularly beautiful, Gladiolus papilio ‘Ruby’ (Butterfly Gladiolus) is an elegant cormous perennial with short spikes of nodding, brilliant ruby-red flowers with darker interiors. Blooming in mid to late summer, the blossoms of this hardy sword-lily rise above the foliage of upright, sword-shaped leaves.

Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm).
Best flowering occurs in full sun in well-drained soils. Provide winter mulch in cold areas.
A good candidate for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, or patio containers. Spectacular in cut flower arrangements.
Keep an eye out for thrips, aphids, slugs, gray mold, and corm rot.
Remove spent flower stems and allow foliage to die down naturally.
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or 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.

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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 - 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	Iridaceae
Genus	Gladiolus
Common names	Gladiolus, Sword-Lily
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spacing	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Depth	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy
Garden Uses	Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage

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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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