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Gladioli for garden borders

Gladioli hybrids are familiar in summer borders, cutting flower beds and on flower show benches. They range from the blowsy large-flowered hybrids to the more slender spikes of the earlier flowering Nanus Group. Others suited for garden cultivation include summer-flowering species like G. murielae (acidanthera) and the hardy, spring-flowering G. communis subsp. byzantinus.

Practical tips

While most garden hybrids are half hardy and are normally stored as dry corms, on well-draining soils in warmer regions survive the winter in situ.

Early-flowering garden gladioli and Nanus Group hybrids

Traditionally these flowers were grown as cut flowers. Dainty blooms are borne in spring and early summer (April to early June). Growth reaches about 60cm (2ft) tall and each corm bears 2-3 slender flower stalks.

Larger Grandiflorus hybrid gladioli

Medium-, large- and giant-flowered gladioli. Best lifted and stored after flowering.

Smaller Grandiflorus hybrid gladioli

Minature- and small-flowered gladioli hybrids. These include the Butterfly gladioli. Best lifted and stored after flowering.

Primulinus Group

These hybrids reach around 30cm (1ft) in height and bear florets with hooded upper petals. Best lifted and stored after flowering.

Other gladioli for the garden

Gladiolus papilio and G. 'Ruby' flower in mid to late summer and are hardy through most of the UK, but it's best to ensure good soil drainage and provide a surface mulch to protect against winter cold and wet
G. communis subsp. byzantinus is a hardier plant (H5) with cerise pink flowers flowering in early summer. Good at the base of a sunny wall, but will naturalise (as can G. italica and G. illyricus)
G. mureliae is a tender corm, ideal for growing in pots that can be plunged into the border for summer and lifted and stored dry afterwards. It has nodding heads of elegant white flowers with dark throats and is sweetly scented

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