Corn Lily Gladiolus x byzantinus
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Corn Lily:
Previously known as:
- Gladiolus communis var. byzantinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- glad-ee-OH-lus bih-ZAN-tin-us
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule dries to split open. Initially green and matures to brown
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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
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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:
- Sword-shaped leaves are up to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide and grow in a fan shape with 3-5 leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Tall green leafless stems
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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