Hardy Gladiolus

Gladiolus

Prefers full sun and sandy loam.
Very drought tolerant, though requires regular watering for the first month.
After the stems are a few inches tall, it is recommended to mulch the plants to conserve moisture and cool the soil.
Where fully hardy, plant the bulbs during late autumn. Most species should be planted about 6 inches deep, planting them less deep can make them fall over more easily and be less winter hardy.
In other climates plant during spring after the final spring frost.
Many additonal species of great potential in cold climates that are not found in this article, may be found on this excellent external link:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=120&taxon_id=113591

* photos taken on Aug 2 2012 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photo taken on July 1 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 11 2016 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 12 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jul 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 11 2018 in Columbia, MD

* historic archive photo

Gladiolus 'Boone'
Hardy north to zone 6.

Gladiolus callianthus ( Peacock Orchid )
Also called Acidanthera bicolor. A perennial, reaching up to 4 ( rarely over 3 ) feet.
The white flowers, up to 3 inches wide, have a brown or purple triangular blotch at the petal bases.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 ( mulch during winter in zones 7 and 8 ) in full sun to partial shade on dry or moist, well drained soil. The corms should be planted 5 inches deep. They sometimes naturalize.

Gladiolus communis spp byzantinus
Reaches up to 3 x 3 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, bearing white ( with deep red streaks ) flowers. The sturdy stems do not need stalking. It is native to Mediterranean parts of Europe.
The foliage is narrow.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( mulch deeply during winter north of 6 ).

Gladiolus dalenii ( Parrot Gladiolus )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 feet in height, that is native from the western Arabian Peninsula to eastern South Africa and Madagascar.
The flowers are intense scarlet-red.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( 6 on protected sites ).

* photos taken on July 25 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

Gladiolus murliae
Also called Gladiolus bicolor. Full text description coming soon.
Hardy zones 7 to 9.

Gladiolus x gandavensis
A perennial, forming a clump up to 3 feet in height, bearing pale yellow flowers mid to late summer. Each flower spike, up to 2 feet in length, may contain up to 12 flowers.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade.

Gladiolus nanus ( Hardy Gladiolis )
Reaches up to 3 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, with sturdy stems.
The typically white ( with pink or red markings ) flowers are borne during summer.
Hardy north to zone 5 ( reports of 4 ) if mulched deeply for extra protection during winter.
They require full sun and well drained soil.
The bulbs should be planted during spring while still dormant... 3 to 4 inches deep.
Deer resistant. Do not dig the bulbs during the fall, these are fully hardy and will be more vigorous if left undisturbed.

* photos taken on July 13 2011 in Columbia, MD



* photos taken on July 7 2012 in Columbia, MD

'Charming Beauty'
Intense magenta or purplish-pink flowers.

'Impressive'
Pure white flowers with purplish-pink petal blotches.

'Nathalie'
Flowers are pink.

'Robinetta'
Intense scarlet-red flowers.

'Sabrina'
Intense orange-red flowers.

Gladiolis natalensis
Full text description coming soon.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun. Drought tolerant.

Gladiolus oppositiflorus salmoneus ( Salmon Gladiolus )
A robust herbaceous perennial, reaching up to 5.3 x 1 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa.
The long sword-shaped leaves are mid-green.
The pale pink flowers, up to 4 inches across, are borne on graceful spikes during mid summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on humus-rich, light, well drained soil.
In zones 5 & 6 mulch heavily during winter for first 2 winters, it is hardy north to New York State.
The corms should be planted 4 inches deep and 6 inches to 1 foot apart.

Gladiolus 'The Bride'
Reaches up to 1.5 feet, with grassy foliage and pure white flowers, up to 2 inches across, borne in clusters.