A Gladiolus Makes Me Glad
Glads give height and color to the spring flower garden
You'll be glad you gave Glads a try in your cut flower garden.
Glads are a great choice for cut flower gardens. The corms planted in the spring will quickly produce summer flowers. For the impatient gardener, potted plants are also widely available. Gladioli are available in a wide assortment of colors and heights. Although they are generally considered to be a warmer season flower, there are glads that will survive the Midwest's cold winter temperatures.
When selecting the corms, choose ones that are firm. They should not have soft spots or bruises. A well drained, sunny location in the garden is the best site for Gladiolus. Glads can be planted close together (2-6" apart). Simply dig a shallow hole (2-6" depending on the size of the corm), sprinkle in bulb fertilizer, drop the corm in the hole, and cover with soil. The bottom of the corm is flat and will have a few roots showing. Plant large quantities quickly by digging a shallow trench. As with all bulbs and corms, water well after planting. Glads will require moisture through the growing and flowering season. Staking is usually required with the larger varieties to improve the quality for cut flower arrangements. If zone hardy in your region, glads can be left in the ground to over winter or temperate varieties can be dug up in the fall and over wintered in the garage or cellar. You will find that the corms have multiplied during the growing season. These smaller corms can be broken off and replanted. It will take two-three years for the smaller corms to reach a mature size that will produce flowers.
Send me photos of Gladioli in your garden or in arrangements and I'll publish them in future issues of Plants and Bulbs.
Today's photo is from Barry Glick of Sunshine Farm. This plant guru must have read my mind. This weekend I was out working in the garden and spotted the emerging foliage of some gladioli I planted years ago. And, lo and behold, in my email account was a message from this guru about Gladiolus 'Boone'.
Resources:
Sunshine Farm - www.sunfarm.com
Mizzou online - www.muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06620.htm
Click on Plants and Bulbs for more articles by Susan Mertz.
© Susan Mertz, May 2006. All rights reserved.
