(Gladiola, Gladiolus, Sword Lily)

The leaves are long, strap or sword-shaped and equitant, which means they overlap and unfold like a fan. The flower spikes appear in spring, summer or autumn. The colorful, funnel-shaped blooms have six petals/tepals that join at the base. They line the tall stems on one side and open from the bottom of the spike up. Most gladioli grown today are hybrids of complex origin. Nonetheless, there are three distinct types of Gladiolus hybrids with differing characteristics.

The Grandiflora...

(Amsterdam Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

Large snowy flowers line the tall upright spikes of this Grandiflora type gladiolus. Like most modern glads, it is a complex hybrid derived from some of the more than 250 species in the genus Gladiolus. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa, particularly South Africa, but other species are from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula.

The long, sword-shaped leaves are equitant, which...

(Applause Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

Large rosy flowers line the tall upright spikes of this Grandiflora type gladiolus. Like most modern glads, it is a complex hybrid derived from some of the more than 250 species in the genus Gladiolus. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa, particularly South Africa, but other species are from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula.

The long, sword-shaped leaves are equitant, which...

(Atom Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

Elegant, smoldering red blooms with silvery rims line the upright flower stems of this heirloom Primulinus type Gladiolus, which was introduced in 1946. Bearing spikes of hooded, widely spaced flowers - in contrast to the crowded spires of the familiar Grandiflora hybrids - Primulinus glads are complex hybrids whose ancestry includes G. dalenii (formerly known as G. primulinus). They are among the most cold- and heat-tolerant glads. Gladiolus are herbaceous...

(Ben Venuto Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

Large begonia-pink flowers line the tall upright spikes of this Grandiflora type gladiolus. Like most modern glads, it is a complex hybrid derived from some of the more than 250 species in the genus Gladiolus. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa, particularly South Africa, but other species are from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula.

The long, sword-shaped leaves are equitant,...

(Blue Isle Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

The royal hues of this magnificent Grandiflora hybrid set it apart from most other Gladiolus. Famed for their crowded spikes of showy flowers on tall sturdy stems, Grandiflora glads are complex hybrids derived from some of the more than 250 Gladiolus species. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa, particularly South Africa, but other species are from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Arabian...

(Carine Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

This lovely Nanus hybrid bears creamy-white flowers with purple markings. Less familiar than the large-flowered Grandiflora glads, Nanus hybrids are relatively small, cold-hardy, early-blooming cultivars that trace their ancestry to several of the more than 250 Gladiolus species. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa, particularly South Africa, but other species are from Asia, the Mediterranean and...

(Charm Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

Charming indeed, this heirloom hybrid bears bright magenta-rose flowers with pale greenish-yellow throats. It has given its name to a whole group of hybrids including 'Comet' and 'Robinetta.' Less familiar than the large-flowered Grandiflora glads, Charm hybrids are relatively small, cold-hardy, early-blooming cultivars that trace their ancestry to several of the more than 250 Gladiolus species. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery...

(Charming Beauty Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

One of the so-called Charm hybrids, this 1961 introduction bears rich purplish pink flowers with paler centers. The lower three segments have greenish-yellow midstripes. Less familiar than the large-flowered Grandiflora glads, Charm hybrids are relatively small, cold-hardy, early-blooming cultivars that trace their ancestry to several of the more than 250 Gladiolus species. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native...

(Charming Lady Gladiola, Gladiola, Sword Lily)

One of the so-called Charm or Tubergenii Hybrids, this small-flowered gladiolus bears lilac-pink flowers with purple streaking and pale chartreuse highlights. Less familiar than the large-flowered Grandiflora glads, Charm hybrids are relatively small, cold-hardy, early-blooming cultivars that trace their ancestry to several of the more than 250 Gladiolus species. All gladiolus are herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbous corms covered with fibrous papery skin. Many are native to Africa,...