GLADIOLUS: Beautiful in the Garden or the Vase
By Virginia Ruschhaupt/Victoria County Master Gardener
August 10, 2024
‘Titanic’ (PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LONGFIELDGARDENS.COM)
‘Espresso’ and ‘Fiorentina’ (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by Longfield Gardens)
‘Repolio Rojo’ (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by Longfield Gardens)
Gladiolus and hydrangea (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by Longfield Gardens)
Gladiolus, commonly called ‘glads,’ are the designated birthday flower for August. They represent qualities of faithfulness, integrity, and persistence.
Gladiolus, part of the Iris family, are native to Africa and some parts of Europe. There are over 250 species and 30,000 cultivars.
Most hybrids in south central Texas are grandifloras, hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10. Grandifloras have sword-like leaves and 3 to 4-foot stalks. Classic orchid-like blossoms are 4 to 6-inches wide. Each stalk bears 12 to 20 blossoms. The soft pastels, vivid bold colors, bi-colors, ruffles, textures, and doubles look spectacular.
Grandiflora dwarfs are similar, but have shorter stalks and 2 to 3-inch wide open-faced blooms.
Unlike bulbs of true lilies, the corms of glads are underground stems for food storage. This design is nature’s way of survival in Africa’s dry season. It might be an asset in Texas also.
Planting starts with choosing healthy firm corms, without scars, twists, cuts, or soft areas. The bigger the corm, the larger the plant and the stalks under ideal growing conditions. However, size is also dependent on the variety.
Glads prefer fertile, well-drained loamy soil, ample weekly watering, and protection from wind. Planting Grandiflora corms 3 to 6” apart in groups of 7 to 10 produces an outstanding display and allows stalks to support each other.
Plant 6” deep, pointed side up. Some vendors recommend 8” deep for large corms so the stalks have more support.
Staggered-planting every two weeks from mid-February to April provides continuous blooms during most of the summer. The last group may be planted in partial shade in anticipation of the summer heat.
We can look forward to our first blooms in about 90 days. Blooms, opening from bottom of the spike up, last about 10 days.
Since large glads tend to flop to the ground, it is best to stake them. Staking plants when they are young is easier than attempting to stake large unwieldy plants.
Slender bamboo canes can be used to prop individual stalks. Stalks can be secured to the bamboo with twine, soft fabric strips or flower clasps.
A full bed of glads can be supported by staking the corners and sides of the planting area, using posts or stakes that are quite sturdy. Corral the glads in rows with twine at 10 and 20 inches above soil line to keep them upright. A temporary fence around tightly clustered glads also works.
Pollinators will appreciate your gladioli garden. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and moths will be frequent visitors.
Glads, particularly the shorter ones, may be planted in containers. A 3-gallon nursery pot or container with some depth will work fine.
Gladiolus make a dramatic appearance in a vase. We will obviously need a heavy vase. It’s OK to be daring and combine gladiolus with other flowers in a bold or soft and delicate arrangement. Wine bottles work well for single stalks.
Stalks are ready to cut for the vase when the bottom 2-3 blossoms are open. If cut sooner, the upper flowers may never mature. Cut off those bottom two flowers. Some florists recommend also removing the top two buds on the stalk since they tend to bend or twist. Others prefer to leave them. Stems may be cut to various lengths to suit your arrangement.
It is best to place cut stems directly into water. Adding plant food to the water in the vase allows enough water to be taken in so spikes will bloom to the very tip. Pinching off spent flowers and re-cutting the stems will keep your arrangement fresh and vibrant.
Enjoy your glads — whether in the garden or in dramatic flower arrangements.
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County.
NOT ALL GLADIOLUS LOOK LIKE GRANDIFLORAS
Nanus hybrids, aka parrot or butterfly gladiolus, are shorter than grandifloras. The blossoms, limited to white, pink, and red tones, are smaller with fewer flowers per stem, but they are hardier – down to Zone 5.
Byzantine gladiolus, aka cornflags — small stems and tubular shaped magenta or white blossoms, often naturalized at old home sites, grown in American gardens since 1800.
Dalenii hybrids — small “hooded” blossoms and shorter stems.
Gladiolus murielae, aka peacock orchid — graceful flowers on nodding stems
PESTS AND DISEASES
Corm rot, mold, viruses, bacterial diseases, spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Take action to deal with insects, as an infestation may be a precursor to corm and soil diseases.
DIG CORMS OR LEAVE THEM?
Since corms are hardy in Zone 8-10, they don’t need to be dug for the winter. Mulching offers some protection in the event of temperature drops. Others recommend removing, treating, and properly storing corms in the winter, regardless of hardiness – to preserve corm and soil health.
CATS & DOGS BEWARE!
Glads are toxic to our fur babies.
REFERENCES:
CULTIVARS, Lots of photos
Types of gladioli – 12 Top varieties for color and flamboyance from Homes & Garden
15 Types of Gladiolus Bulbs from a-z Animals
Gladiolus from Longfield Gardens
General Information
Learn All About Gladiolus at American Meadows
Summer Flowering Bulbs: Gladiolus from Extension University of Missouri
Year of the Gladiolus from National Garden Bureau
How to Plant and Care for Gladiolus
Gladiolus in the Garden by Dr. William Welch from Aggie Horticulture Newsletter 1997 Plant of the Month, go to page 3.
How to Grow Gladioli: The Complete Gladiolus Flower Guide from The Almanac
Gladiolus in the Garden by Dr. Bill Welch from Aggie Horticulture 2007 March
All About Gladiolus from Longfield Gardens
How to Grow Gladiolus from American Meadows
How To Grown Gladiolus Like a Pro from Longfield Gardens
Diseases of Gladiolus
Gladiolus from Plant Disease Handbook AgriLife