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Gladiolus
gladiolus, sword lily

- Height 1-51/2 ft (30-165 cm)
- Planting distance 4-8 in (10-20 cm)
- Flowers midsummer to midfall
- Humus-rich, well-drained soil
- Sunny, sheltered site
- Corms available late winter to midspring
- Hardy typically zones 8-10, with hardy types overwintering with protection to zone 7 even farther

The showy flower heads of gladioli are popular for cutting and exhibiting. They are less frequently used as bedding plants, as the flower spikes last only 2 weeks and the plants often need staking. Half-hardy hybrids have mostly replaced the original gladiolus species. These hybrids are planted in spring in the North, then lifted in fall, and stored in a frost-free place over winter. In the South, gladioli are often planted in the fall for winter bloom. The species gladioli are less spectacular than the hybrids but they are hardier and will overwinter in the ground as far north as zone 7 or rarely to zone 5.

Popular species and cultivars
Catalogs may identify cultivars by the blooming time: early, early, midseason, midseason, or late. Gladiolus byzantinus, the hardiest species, overwinters in protected spots in zone 5. It bears 15 in (38 cm) long spikes of winered blooms in early summer. 'The Bride' is pure white. Gladiolus x colvillei hybrids have white florets. Only 1-11/2 ft (30-45 cm) high, these delicate gladioli flower in mid- and late summer. They are hardy to zone 7. Gladiolus nanus (syn. Babiananana) hybrids - which have been developed from species gladioli - come in pink, rose, or scarlet with violet to purple blotches. They stand 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) high and flower in mid- and late summer. Half-hardy hybrids (often listed under Gladiolus x hortulanus) are divided into four groups by the size of the "floret," or the flower spikes' individual blossoms. Each group has different virtues and applications. the giants tend to be stiff but impressive flowers that are suitable as cut flowers. Large and decorative gladioli, though smaller, are still impressive and more graceful in appearance, better adapted to use in borders or beds. Small gladioli are less spectacular, but also less vulnerable to rain and weather, while "miniatures" have a unique delicacy and tend to be early bloomers. Giant hybrids bear florets over 51/2 in (14 cm) wide. Superior giants are 'Ivory Tower' (ivory-cream flowers with light yellow lip petals; midseason), 'Jungle Flower' (huge carmine florets on 51/2 ft/165 cm tall spikes; midseason), and 'Mother's Day' (lavender; midseason).
Large, or standard florets are 41/2-51/2 in (11-14 cm) wide. Popular types are 'Candy Cane' (red with white striping; midseason), 'Fairy Dancer' (medium pink with light yellow throat; early midseason), 'Golden Wave' (golden yellow; midseason), and 'Plum Tart' (velvety purple; early).
Decorative hybrids bear florets 31/2-41/2 in (9-11 cm) wide. Choose 'Norseman' (rich red; very early), 'Queen's Lace' (lightly ruffled, soft rose; midseason), or 'Tango' (deep pink tinted orange, white throat; early midseason).
Small hybrids bear flowers 21/2-31/2 in (6-9 cm) wide, while the florets of the "miniature" gladioli are less than 21/2 in (6 cm) wide. Small-flowered types are 'Pierre' (blackish red; early midseason) and 'Sonnet' (yellow with an orange edging to the petals; midseason). Good miniatures are 'Carolee' (salmon with dark pink throat; early) and 'Whiskers' (red with white throat streaked red; early). In addition to the formal classification system, many growers identify hybrids by their form and the coloration of the flowers. One popular type is the so-called "primulinus" hybrids, which bear hooded florets, typically in shades of orange-yellow. A Dutch strain, the "butterfly" hybrids bear 18 in (45 cm) spikes of ruffled florets that are commonly blotted with a contrasted color at the throat.

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