Gladiolus 'Ruby' (_papilio_ hybrid)

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sword lily 'Ruby'

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sword lily 'Ruby' RHS

Synonyms

Gladiolus papilio 'Ruby'
Gladiolus ecklonii 'Ruby'
Gladiolus papilio red-flowered
Gladiolus papilio ruby-flowered

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A cormous perennial to 80cm tall, producing upright, sword-shaped leaves. In mid-to late summer it bears short spikes of large, hooded, ruby-red flowers with darker markings on the lip tepals

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbsnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Gladiolus are cormous perennials with fans of sword-shaped or linear leaves and spikes of funnel-shaped flowers
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Plant corms 10-16cm deep in spring. If the soil is not perfectly-drained, plant the corms on a bed of sand. Provide a winter mulch in cold areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by separating cormlets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems and allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

May be susceptible to gladiolus thrip, aphids and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to corm rot and grey moulds (botrytis)