Sword Lily Gladiolus murielae
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sword Lily:
Previously known as:
- Acidanthera bicolor
- Acidanthera murielae
- Phonetic Spelling
- GLAD-ee-oh-lus mur-ee-EL-ay
- Description
-
Fragrant gladiolus is a flowering bulb native to Africa in the iris (Iridaceae) family. The Genus name comes from the Latin word for a small sword in reference to the leaves. The graceful 6-petaled flowers are fragrant and open successively on nodding stems The foliage grows in the typical fan shape of irises. The plant can reach 2-3 feet in height.
This plant does best in full sun in moist soil with good drainage. Protection from strong winds is helpful. As this is a later blooming bulb it can be mixed with the earlier blooming ones to prolong the season. Use in the border of garden beds or containers. Be sure to provide water during dry spells.
Corms are planted after the first frost or started indoors for earlier blooms. Depending on the size of the corm, they should be planted 2-6 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. Planting in groups of at least 5 gives the best effect. The coms can be left in the ground over winter in zones 7-10 but will need to be lifted in colder climates. Allow the foliage to yellow before cutting it back.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to botrytis, crown rot, rust, wilt and mosaic virus. Watch for aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites and thrips. Avoid heavy clay as corms will rot.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Murielae'
- 'Zwanenburg'
- 'Murielae'
- 'Murielae', 'Zwanenburg'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Murielae'
- 'Zwanenburg'
- 'Murielae'
- 'Murielae', 'Zwanenburg'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gladiolus
- Species:
- murielae
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa
- Bulb Storage:
- Harvest corms in the fall; dry, clean carefully, and store at 60-70 degrees F with some ventilation
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Green capsule matures to brown and splits to release seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 2-3 inch star-shaped flowers are white with a maroon throat. Each petal has a pointed tip. They appear on tall scapes and bloom successively on nodding stems in late summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The sword-shaped green leaves are up to 2 feet long and 1/2 inch wide and grow in a fan shape in groups of 5-7. They have weakly developed secondary veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
