Gladiolus sends up tall, sword-like spikes lined with ruffled blooms that open from the bottom up, making it a favorite for dramatic, vertical accents in both garden beds and cut-flower arrangements.
Native mostly to South Africa, gladiolus grows from a corm and has long been a florist staple, prized for the height and structure it adds to bouquets that softer, rounder blooms can't provide on their own.
Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character and moral integrity, its name derived from the Latin "gladius," meaning sword, a reference to its blade-like leaves.
Plant gladiolus corms in spring after the danger of frost has passed, in full sun and well-draining soil, staggering plantings every couple of weeks for a longer bloom season. Taller varieties often need staking to keep their heavy flower spikes from toppling in wind or rain.
Gladiolus has little history of medicinal or culinary use and is grown almost exclusively as a cut flower and garden ornamental.
