Gladiolus
Availability: July - October
Common Names: Sword Lily or Gladiolus
Genus Name: Gladiolus
Family Name: Iridaceae
Place of Origin: Southern Africa
How long do they last? 7-10 days
Colours available: These flowers are variously coloured, ranging from pink to reddish or light purple with white, contrasting markings, or white to cream or orange to red.
The gladiolus is always an impressive flower to uphold. Gladioli can grow up to one and a half meters in length and the flowers bloom on both sides of the stem. Their graceful spires and the wide variety of colours make gladioli the perfect choice for large-scale flower arrangements.
Did you know?
The sword-shaped foliage contributed to its Latin name Gladius, which means sword. Ever since the Roman times the gladiolus is a symbol of strength, triumph and pride. Back then they would shower the gladiator that won in gladioli. Nowadays it’s still the ideal flower for rewarding (sports) achievements.
Care tips
Gladioli are easy to care for flowers. All they need is a clean vase and clean water. Cut-flower food for bulbous flowers will keep the water clean for longer and will ensure that the flowers open properly. Remove any foliage that would be submerged under the water, as this will prevent rotting. You will be able to keep them longer if you change the water every now and then. You can either leave the spike tip or you can top out the last 2 buds on the end which will encourage more flowers below.