A perennial corm up to 50cm in height with strap-like green leaves. In early summer rich-pink flowers appear with a narrow cream splash on the lower petals
0.1-0.5 metres
0-0.1 metre
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow gladioli 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. When the flower spikes reach one third to half their final height, feed with a potassium-rich fertiliser such as a tomato feed. Repeat every 10-14 days until three weeks after flowering. In areas where there is frost, lift the corms when the foliage has turned yellow-brown. Snap the stem off the corms and dry the corms off for 14 days and keep the new corms dry and frost-free until planting time. See gladiolus trial 2024-2025
Separate cormlets when lifting in autumn
Snap off old stems from the corms when lifting them for winter storage
May be susceptible to Gladiolus thrip, aphids and slugs
May be susceptible to gladiolus corm rot, grey moulds (Botrytis), Fusarium bulb rot, gladiolus core rot, gladiolus dry rot, gladiolus scab and neck rot, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases