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Gladiolus x byzantinus

Previously known as:

  • Gladiolus communis var. byzantinus
Phonetic Spelling
glad-ee-OH-lus bih-ZAN-tin-us
Description

Byzantine gladiolus is a perennial bulb in the sword lily (Iridaceae) family that is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa.  The genus name comes from the Latin word gladius meaning sword in reference to the leaves. The plant can grow up to 3 feet tall with showy spikes of magenta to purple tubular flowers that are more orchid-like rather than like the modern glads. The long sword-shaped leaves grow in a fan shape

The showy flowers are in clusters of up to 15 blooms and appear in late spring to early summer.  Plants prefer fertile well-drained soil in full sun but tolerate some shade. Plant corms about 3-4 inches deep in fall and about 6-8 inches apart in groups of 5-7. Once flowering has stopped, allow the foliage to grow until it starts turning yellow to provide energy to the corms for the following year. In colder climates the corms need to be dug up in fall, dried and stored in a cool place until spring.

Use this plant in naturalized areas, borders, groups, English gardens or cottage gardens.

This plant was a favorite in the old south and can still be found growing in old cemeteries, abandoned home sites, and ditch banks. In 1993 it was awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticulture Society. In 2006 it was named the Heirloom Bulb of the Year.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for fusarium rot, gray mold (Botrytis), aster yellows and rust. Thrips can cause significant problems. Aphids may appear. Taller flowering stems appreciate staking or support to prevent falling in winds.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Gladiolus.

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Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#purple flowers#red flowers#spring flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#border back#border middle#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#full sun
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#purple flowers#red flowers#spring flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#border back#border middle#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#full sun
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gladiolus
    Species:
    byzantinus
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Europe, northern Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and hummingbirds may visit the flowers
    Edibility:
    The bulb is edible and was used during a famine to make flour.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Capsule dries to split open. Initially green and matures to brown
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    6-parted flowers that grow on one side of a spike (secund) in a raceme of up to 15 flowers. Blooms May-July
  • 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:
    Sword-shaped leaves are up to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide and grow in a fan shape with 3-5 leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Tall green leafless stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses