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Gladioli: flowering plants with a wide variety of colours

Gladioli, often loved for their vibrant colours, are easy-to-grow summer flowers. These plants sprout from bulbs that are strategically planted in spring, so that they offer a striking display of flowers in summer. With their rich range of colours, from soft pastel pinks to deep reds, gladioli add elegance and diversity to any garden. The sturdy flower stems make them particularly suitable for cut flowers, allowing their beauty to be appreciated not only outdoors but also indoors. Gladioli are an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Gladioli are popular flowering plants that are often grown for their beauty. With their wide range of colours and long stems, they add colour and texture to your garden. This plant is also popular as a cut flower for floral arrangements because of its sword-shaped leaves and long stem. There are several varieties, each with their own characteristics, and they are available from Garden-Select.com

Introduction and history of gladiolus

Gladioli in Latin, gladiolus are plants belonging to the Iridaceae family. They are herbaceous flowering plants native to South Africa. They were introduced to Europe in the 17th century and are now grown all over the world for their beauty and variety of colours.

Ideal in the garden as an ornamental plant or as a cut flower to dress up your interior, the gladiolus is a summer flower that will beautify your garden. The flowering bulbs create a true firework of colour in flower beds, pots and, of course, in vases, as gladioli produce exceptionally long-lasting flower bouquets. All colours are present in this beautiful plant! The shape of the flowers can also vary: smooth, wavy or even fringed petals (parrot gladioli), they are all imposing! Most varieties of gladiolus have a tall stem, but with the newer varieties, the low ones are gaining ground in our gardens. The shorter flowers are beautiful in the middle of a bed, whether in a single-coloured bed or in a colourful mix. Discover the new arrivals for your garden below and treat yourself to beautiful, perfectly blooming bouquets!

Knowing the characteristics of gladiolus

Gladioli have sword-shaped leaves and flower spikes that can be 30 to 90 cm long and grow from an underground bulb. The flower stems can be 30 cm to more than a metre tall and bear funnel-shaped flowers arranged in rows. The flowers have different shapes, some being single, others double or semi-double. The different varieties are available in a wide range of colours such as pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple and bicoloured.

They are perennials that grow well in hardiness zones 7 to 10 and need plenty of sun and fertile, well-drained soil to thrive and flower. You can plant the bulbs in spring or in autumn. Their flowering period varies depending on the region, altitude and weather conditions. In general, they start flowering in late spring or early summer and co

There are several varieties of gladiolus, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of flower colour, size and shape. The most common is the large-flowered variety, which produces medium to large flowers and comes in a variety of colours ranging from white to pink, red, purple, yellow and orange. It is usually grown as a cut flower for floral arrangements. The short-stemmed gladiolus is another well-known species, producing smaller flowers, but appreciated as very colourful and attractive. This variety is recommended for small gardens or for areas where a lower height is more suitable.

Miniature gladioli are smaller varieties, with smaller flowers and shorter stems than other varieties. They are often used for small flower arrangements and are suitable for rock gardens. Miniature gladiolus does not exceed 60 cm in height. It is recommended for front gardens or small gardens with a lower height.

The spiked gladiolus is a species with flowers on a conical stem, giving it a unique and attractive appearance. It is often used to make a

flower arrangement higher and more interesting. The butterfly gladiolus is unique because of its butterfly-shaped flowers. It is a rare and hard to find species, but they add an exotic and unique touch to all types of gardens and flower arrangements.

How to plant gladiolus in your garden?

Gladioli are easy plants to grow; you will succeed in planting them even as an amateur gardener if you observe certain conditions. They should be planted in spring, when the soil is sufficiently warm. If you want them to bloom all season, Bakker's experts recommend planting them in phases, every 2-3 weeks.

Grow your plants in well-drained soil with a depth of about 10 to 15 cm and a distance of 10 to 15 cm between each bulb. They need well-drained, nutrient-rich soil to develop fully. Before planting the bulbs, add compost or organic manure to the soil to improve its quality. Gladioli need a lot of sun, so choose a spot in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.

How do you care for gladiolus in your garden?

Maintaining gladioli is as simple as planting them, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure they stay healthy and produce abundant flowers. Since they need regular watering to thrive, water them when the soil feels dry. Do not leave the soil too wet, as this will also help prevent the development of fungal diseases.

These flowers need regular nutrition to produce abundant flowers. Therefore, use a fertiliser rich in phosphorus and potassium but low in nitrogen to encourage flowering. Bakker gardeners recommend fertilising every fortnight during the active growth period.

For abundant flowering, prune the flowering stems when they have finished flowering. This allows the plants to use their energy to produce new flower stems and flowers. To encourage the plant to flower longer, remove spent flowers as they appear. This way, new flowers can be produced instead of using energy for spent flowers.

As these varieties are susceptible to various fungal diseases, especially bulb rot and leaf rot, you should check them regularly. To prevent these diseases, we advise you to keep your plants clean and dry and grow them in well-drained soil in your garden. If necessary, we recommend treating them with a fungicide.

Note that these are hardy perennials, but in some regions they are not. If you live in an area where winter temperatures can drop below 0°C, dig up the bulbs in autumn and store them in a cool, dry place until the following spring.

The benefits of growing gladioli in your garden

Gladioli are sword-shaped flowering plants, available in a wide variety of colours. If you grow them in your garden, they add colour, height, texture and visual interest to your outdoor space. The different varieties are perfect in flower gardens, flower beds and borders.

Moreover, they are appreciated for their long flowering period of up to six weeks. They are usually planted from bulbs, which should be planted in well-drained soil. During the season, you can enjoy their full bloom by placing them in full sun and watering them regularly as they grow.

Moreover, these plants can be used to make floral arrangements used for many purposes, mostly at funerals. In some cultures, they are also used for their medicinal properties.