Gladiolus Species, Hardy Gladiolus, Jacob's Ladder, Sword Lily

Dainty and cheerful, does not need staking. Very special for me as received from a special friend.

Thhis plant as stated is "daintier" and more delicate than regular gladiolus..... the blossoms are smaller.... but still very showy......Read More.. the plants as a whole also look much better poking out of the ground...... they don't jut out at such strange (rigid) angles as regular gladiola.... looks much more "graceful" in the garden..... Very easy to grow.... overwintered perfectly without any real extra protection (mulch etc.) and no bulbs rotted.... planted a few and I believe every single one came up and has a flower on it.... I even think the buds before they open are pretty (resemble a green chasmanthe or some kind of grain)..... pretty strappy foliage..... bloomed for me in May/June :)
A real favorite! :)

I find this heirloom plant very fulfilling and very common around NW Louisiana where I reside. I acquired my corms from old abandoned hom...Read Moree sites and they have multiplied and bloomed faithfully every year without fail. After the blooms fade the bloom stalks are a tiny bit obvious, and the succession of opening allows for the lower ones to be dead before the top ones open, but the loveliness of the blossoms more than makes up for this distraction.
Blessed, Dan Brown, Elm Grove, LA

A more dainty plant than the modern cultivars, G. byzantinus is a very old plant that works well in cottage gardens. Its delicate blooms...Read More typically don't require staking.

Planted deeply (3-5") these bulbs can stay in the ground year-round in zones 5 and warmer. Give the bulbs well-drained soil to avoid rot, although they will tolerate a heavy soil as long as they aren't subjected to standing water.