The Gladiolus is a true summer bloomer, available in many colors, including varieties with multiple colors per flower. In summer, you can see Gladiolus proudly displayed in vases or cheerful floral arrangements. True enthusiasts plant bulbs in their gardens at the beginning of the year to enjoy them from their terrace throughout the summer. Gladiolus typically blooms in the summer, from Jul until the first frost in autumn.
The Gladiolus stands out because the colorful flowers bloom on both sides of the long, slender stem. The leaves of the Gladiolus resemble the shape of a sword, hence it is also called the Sword Lily. Gladioli come in white, red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, cream, and multi-colored varieties. Some types are fragrant, while others are not.
Gladiolus belongs to the iris family (Iridaceae), which also includes bulbous plants like Iris, Crocus, and Freesia.
As a florist, garden center, or flower arranger, it is beautiful to work with these distinctive flowers during the summer months. The Forever Bulbs partnership as a breeder and Gladz as a growers’ collective cultivate the most beautiful Gladioli every year, with a new variety introduced annually. Follow these specialists to ensure you present quality and diversity to the customers in your store. You will be amazed by the amount of available varieties!
What tips can you give your customers to help them fully enjoy their Gladioli?
– When placing Gladioli in a vase, it is advisable to cut them at an angle and remove any leaves that might end up in the water. For Gladiolus, it is especially important to choose a vase with sufficient height and weight. Since Gladiolus is a long flower that can become top-heavy, you want to prevent the vase from toppling over.
– The customer can pinch off the top flowers at the top of the Gladiolus spike to prolong the blooming period. This removes the flowers where most of the energy is directed, allowing the remaining buds to open more evenly and vigorously.
– Gladiolus also blooms excellently outdoors. If the customer wants to brighten up the patio table or veranda with Gladioli, this is also possible. In fact, at a slightly lower temperature, you can enjoy this colorful vase of flowers even longer.
Fun fact: There is a proverb about the Gladiolus: “Death or the Gladiolus.” This means taking a risk. It will either be a victory or a failure. This proverb originates from the arena where two gladiators literally fought to the death or for the Gladiolus.
It is also a term used in sports, where the athlete gives their all, resulting in either a beautiful victory with lovely flowers or empty hands after giving their all. The Gladiolus, therefore, stands for strength, victory, and pride!
It is no coincidence that Gladioli are often symbolically handed out at the finish of the Nijmegen Four Days marches
