[GPI]

Gladioli to meet you..... Planting miniature Gladioli.

Would you like a plant that delivers the colour of summer bedding, without requiring you to renew it year after year? Well by planting hybrid Gladiolus corms, you can attain mid to late summer colour year after year with only occasional renewal.

Sometimes called gladioli bulbs (more correctly gladioli corms), these South African members of the Iris family are ideal for colour impact. It is estimated that up to 10,000 named cultivars of gladioli originated from just seven species, all of which are native to South Africa.

Most garden centres stock a wide range of gladioli corms which, once planted, will go on to produce flowers in shades of white, pink, orange, red (best for impact) and bicolour. There is even a rare blue flowered variety available for all you intrepid plant hunters. As an introduction to gladioli, have a special look out for the variety “Columbine”, a charming pink and white flowered specimen, which will definitely pull you into the world of gladioli growing.



Planting time.
Planting of the gladioli takes place from the start of March till the end of May, so you still have time to get these guys into the ground for the summer. Firstly, select a planting location that receives upwards of 4 hours of sunlight a day. Place the bulbs 4 to 5 inches deep (10 to 12cm) in planting holes, with an approximate spacing of 4 inches.

Ideally, your soil will be rich with free drainage to prevent rotting of the bulb over winter. Group the bulbs in clusters of 5 or more of the same colour for impact, except in a cottage garden where the mixing up of Gladiolus colours is quite acceptable.

July to September staggered colour.
Most gladioli flowers last approx 2 to 3 weeks, so, I suggest you play it sneaky and stagger your corm plantings at weekly intervals. This will enable you to stretch out the length of time they will be in bloom, for example planting in March will give you flowers in July, whereas planting in May will give you flowers in September.

It is advisable to water the emerging growth well in dry weather, as the vigorous foliage tends to be extremely thirsty. Look after these cultivation requirements and you will be rewarded by sword-like leaves topped by trumpet or funnel shaped flowers in vertical rows, which interestingly bloom from the bottom upwards. The sword-like leaves inspire the Latin name Gladiolus, which means little sword, in fact some people refer to them as sword lilies.

Gladiolus flowers can be cut for indoor arrangements by using 3 to 5 different colours bunched together, just be careful not to remove all the leaves from the bulb as this will severely weaken its bloom next season. When purchasing your Gladiolus bulbs in the garden centre, ask for Primulinus or miniature hybrids as these varieties grow to about 2ft (0.6 metre). This variety does not require staking like some of the larger versions, leaving you more time to relax and appreciate their cottage charm.

Any queries or comments on Gladioli to meet you..... Planting miniature Gladioli., please post below.

Associated content...
Sowing Gladiolus Bulbs, How-to Video
_________________
If you benefited from irishgardeners.com, please link to us or tell others, so that the site can grow and benefit more gardeners.

Remember, a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.
Garden Consultation & Design in Ireland!