Gladiolus Hybrids Spring showers remind us to plan for summer’s flowers - Gladioli What border would be complete without the spikey presence of these exotic looking yet easy to grow garden staples? Gladiolus are available in the spring months at your nursery to start a new bed or fill in the existing one with perhaps a different color or a new- to-you variety. We at Bulb and Bloom marvel at the huge reward received from one little gladiolus bulb.

Hybrid Gladiolus
About the only true species Gladiolus generally available is G.Acidenthera, a native of South Africa and a genetic parent of any Hybrid Gladiolus that has the elusive fragrance component. Gladiolus have a most complicated hybrid history that encompassed Africa, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France and England before bursting upon the American scene. Between 1837 and 1940 thousands of hybrids were created and lost in the craze to produce perfect characteristics. All modern Hybrid Gladiolus descend from those few survivors available in 1940, which themselves were hybrid products of the crossing and recrossing of several sub-Saharan species.

A hybrid gladiolus bulb for every taste
Hybrid Gladiolus will work into just about any color scheme in your garden but care should be taken to situate the 6ft. tall Grandifloras near complimentary shapes for a pleasing effect. Evergreens or flowering bushes create a leafy foil for the bare lower stems, rounded fluffy plantings gain a pointed accent of similar or different color. Impressive impact in a glorious color can easily be achieved by grouping gladiolus towards the back of a mid sized border. Try for the natural look of English country gardens and avoid planting in rows.

Variety in size ranges from Miniature Tiny Tot at 30 inches to 5 ft. tall Grandiflora, White Angel. Shape and number of florets are a hybridizer’s dream; from ruffled petals to camellia-like blooms in single or double rows. Orchid-like butterfly florets and double petaled blooms are just some of the varieties.

Color among the Grandifloras is either solid or bi-color. Red, pink, salmon, purple, yellow and even green in all the hues of the spectrum are represented. Typical of Hybrid Gladiolus are combinations of two shades of one color like the unusual beige and brown Old Spice or two contrasting colors like the cream and pink Priscilla . Among the shorter varieties the gene pool has given splotched and dotted variagated markings like the charming G. Nanus mix commonly referred to as Hardy Gladiolus. American Meadows has some very interesting Glads this year.

Gardens we love
At Bulb and Bloom we’re always on the lookout for plants used in artful ways. A favorite planting of Hybrid Gladiolus in our own neighborhood is where a weathered fence hosts drifts of David Austen and old Bourbon roses, interplanted with spikes of peach, cream and violet gladiolus that perfectly compliment the colors of the roses. The 6ft. tall Grandiflora Hybrid Gladiolus appreciate the cooling shade of the roses near the ground and reach up through supporting branches to the sun.

For earlier "more wildflowery", closer to species Glads, probably not in local nurseries check out Oldhousegardens.com.

What Gladiolus Need
Loose soil is best, avoid heavy water retentive soil. Plant 4- 6 inches apart, 4-6 inches deep in a sunny spot. Water once after planting and let the rain do the rest until growth appears, then water regularly. The tall varieties will need staking if they can’t lean against bushes or other supports. The shorter or miniatures, if mulched around the base will be upright. Hardy Hybrid Gladiolus will over winter in all but the coldest climate zones.

Gladiolus will last longer if they are shaded for part of the day. Old House Gardens suggests staggering planting time from early spring to mid-summer for a succession of flowers which will bloom approx. in 75 days for the miniatures and 90-120 days for the Grandifloras.