Gladiolus communis

BYZANTINE GLADIOLUS

Gladiolus communis
BYZANTINE GLADIOLUS

Gladiolus communis is one of the treats of early summer.
Just when you think the riot of spring colour is closing down.
Then Gladiolus communis bursts forth and blazes with rich magenta wands.
Evoking all the exotic richness and colour of ancient Byzantium.

Graceful wands of exotic magenta

But these graceful wands of Gladiolus flowers are a far cry from Dame Edna’s coarse extravagances of “Glads”.
Instead they are fine, willowy and elegant.
As is the fine Iris-like foliage.

Commercial quality cut flowers

The lovely wands of blooms are grown commercially for cut flowers and floristry.
Because they last extremely well in a vase.

This bulbous perennial is virtually trouble free. And rarely if ever troubled by pests or diseases.

Water-wise

Plant Gladiolus communis in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Where it is well able to cope with competition from other plants and a wide variety of conditions.
It enjoys well-drained soil. And is a water-wise plant requiring little if any extra watering.
Then by later in summer the whole outfit has died back to the bulbous base, and needs no further attention over the hot months.

Gladiolus communis industriously multiplies each year. To make an ever denser clump for next year’s flowering.
It can be left in the ground for many years. You do not need to lift and divide each year, though you can to share to friend or other spots in the garden if you wish.

Very low maintenance & easy

Gladiolus communis is not a fussy plant.
It is very frost hardy.
Unfussy about soil type, as long as it is well drained.
Hence it thrives in sandy, gravel, and rocky soils as well as good garden loam.
And is well suited to coastal gardens.
However boggy conditions are fatal.

So Gladiolus communis is a very low maintenance plant.

Nectar for bees & pollinators

Bees, native honey-eating birds, and butterflies love foraging down the funnels for nectar.

80cm. High with exotic flower wands x 45cm. Wide clump of fine, Iris like foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Gladiolus communis

Seeds are best sown in autumn or winter.

Indoors: First sow the seeds in a punnet on good quality seed raising mix.
The barely cover the seed because light is beneficial for germination.

Now place the mist sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position.
If you have a heat mat to maintain warm temperatures it is beneficial, though not essential at this stage.

Temperatures of 18 to 22C are best.
Continue to keep the punnet consistently moist for 2-4 weeks.
Covering with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag is a help to maintain consistent moisture.

After 2-4 weeks, wrap the moist ounnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag.

Now keep it in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.

Then remove, unwrap, make sure it is moist.
And place in a cool, well-lit position.

Temperatures of 5-12C are best at this stage for rapid and optimum germination.

Seeds sprout in approx. 10-14 days.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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