Gladiolus sends up tall, sword-like spikes densely packed with ruffled blooms, opening progressively from the bottom up over several weeks — a dramatic favorite for cut flower arrangements.
Native primarily to Africa, gladiolus takes its name from the Latin word for sword, referring to its narrow, pointed leaves. Its towering flower spikes and huge range of colors have made it a longtime favorite for both garden borders and formal cut arrangements.
Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character and moral integrity, its sword-shaped leaves and towering form long associated with honor and remembrance — it's also the birth flower for August.
Plant gladiolus corms in spring after frost danger passes, in full sun with rich, well-draining soil, staggering plantings every couple weeks for a longer succession of bloom. Taller varieties benefit from staking to prevent toppling, and in cold climates corms are typically dug up and stored indoors over winter.
Some African traditional medicine practices used gladiolus corm preparations for various ailments, though the plant is grown today almost entirely as a garden and cut flower ornamental rather than for herbal use.
