Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Gladiolus)


Botanical Information

FamilyIridaceae
GenusGladiolus
Speciescommunis
Subspeciesbyzantinus
CategoryBulbs, Perennials
OriginEurasia, north-west Africa and Morroco, the Maltese islands and the Mediterranean region. Introduced into cultivation in 1576.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5a - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-21 -(-18)
Temperature (°F)-5 - 0
Height50 -100 cm
Spread10 cm
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June, July

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionCormous perennial with sword-shaped leaves. It rarely sets viable seed since it is a hexaploid (90 chromosomes) and is thus usually infertile, although at times it may appear that seed capsules are ripe. All of the plants in the United Kingdom are theorized to be one identical clone propagated by cormlets.
ID CharacteristicOften confused with G. italics, this species has wider, lance-like leaves and the flowers lack side tepals.
LandscapeCottage and informal gardens.
PropagationSeparating cormlets when dormant.
CultivationPrefers a sunny disposition with free draining soil. Plants corms in the autumn for late spring blooms. Corms are frost intolerant.
PestsThrips, aphids and slugs.
Flower DescriptionFlower colour in Africa and Morocco are typically dark red while those plants found growing in the Mediterranean are paler in colour, while white forms have been found in the Maltese Islands. There may be up to 21 flowers on a spike, with white darts on the lower petals.

Photographs