Graceful Gladiolus Bulbs for Sunny Borders and Patio Pot Displays

1. Planting. Plant the bulbs in spring once the soil has warmed and the risk of hard frost has passed, 10–12 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart with the pointed end up, in full sun and free-draining soil. Gladiolus can be planted in successive batches every two weeks for a longer flowering season; in pots use a deep container with fresh free-draining compost and keep the crown just covered. Water in once, then let the top of the soil dry between drinks.

2. Care. Keep the bed weed-free and water during dry spells once the shoots are up; a low-nitrogen feed as the spikes colour encourages bigger blooms. Tall varieties need a slender stake or a grow-through support before they get going, because the flower spike is heavy. In zones that freeze hard, treat them as a seasonal bulb and lift the corms after the leaves die, or simply replant fresh each spring.

3. Growing conditions. These are top-size 12/14 cm corms graded for a strong first season of flowering. They grow 60–110 cm tall on a single upright spike and need full sun and good drainage far more than rich soil. They are happiest in a warm, bright spot and will flower about 90 days from planting, so spring plantings give you colour right through summer.

4. In bloom. Each spike opens from the bottom upward, a column of closely spaced florets that unfurls over one to two weeks, so a single stem reads like a living torch of colour and keeps producing new flowers as the lower ones fade. Cut stems in the morning with the lowest one or two florets just opening, and they last a week or more in a vase; strip the lower leaves and condition them upright in cool water first.

5. After flowering. Snap off the spent spike but leave the stem and every leaf standing for at least six weeks, because the foliage is refilling the corm for next year. Let the leaves yellow and wither naturally, then lift the corms, brush off the soil, dry them in an airy shaded place and store cool and dry until the next spring planting.