Gladioli Bulbs

Gladioli Bulbs are towering spikes adorned with vibrant blossoms. If you love bright colours, then you can’t go wrong with these long-lasting columns of flowers. They open up gradually from the base to the tip, giving you weeks of flowers.

Gladioli are excellent flowers for cutting and make wonderful statement plants, perfect for the cottage garden to the contemporary garden. Gladioli corms are easy to grow, and if you stagger the planting, they will provide a long flowering period. Gladioli are slowly making a comeback in the garden and finding a new audience for these diverse flowers, and in our opinion, it’s a welcome return.

If you are looking for more subtle flowers, a clever selection of colours can provide your garden with elegance. Use the gladioli as bold accents in your planting scheme. 

The smaller varieties are far more intricate with intriguing markings. 

How to plant Gladioli

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting Gladioli. These bulbs thrive in full sunlight, basking in the warmth to produce spectacular blooms.
• Plant the bulbs 15 cm deep, with the pointed end facing upward. Plant the bulbs in groups for a striking visual effect.
• Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter for added nutrients. Gladioli prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, so test and amend if necessary.
• Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Water deeply, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging to prevent bulb rot.

How to care for Gladioli bulbs

• Apply a balanced fertilizer when shoots emerge and again as the flower spikes develop
• Tall and majestic, gladioli may require staking to prevent bending or toppling. Install stakes early to support the growing stems
• Remove spent flowers promptly to encourage continuous blooming. This also redirects the plant's energy to bulb development

Can gladioli be grown in pots?

Yes, gladioli can be cultivated in containers. Use a well-draining potting mix and ensure the containers receive ample sunlight for optimal growth. However, in my personal experience, gladioli perform better in the ground.

How long do gladioli blooms last?

Gladioli blooms typically last 1-2 weeks, but their staggered blooming pattern ensures a prolonged display if planted in groups.

Do gladioli come back every year?

Gladioli are usually grown as annuals, they wont last over winter. The corms produce a lot of off shoots which are usually too small to flower the next year. It is much easier to buy new stocks each year.

In colder climates, where gladioli are not winter hardy, dig up the bulbs after the first frost. Store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.

What to plant with gladioli

The most striking feature of these flowers is their straight and tall columns of flowers. They dont take up a lot of space. They are really useful in creating tall accents over smaller summer flowers or projecting over hardy perennials. Why not try the following:

• Aster
• Echinacea
• Veronica
• Lilies

Planting alongside legumes, such as peas, is not recommended. 

Why you should order your gladioli bulbs from Peter Nyssen

• We are a friendly, family run business with more than 60 years experience
• We offer bulk prices and free delivery for orders over £50
• We supply flower bulbs in quantities large and small, for all types of gardener from the cottage potterer through to the professional landscaper

• We are constantly working to improve our carbon footprint and we want to help you garden in a more environmentally sustainable way, too. Read our Green Credentials

For guidance on how to get the best from your gladioli corms, refer to our detailed planting guide. Take a look at our wider range of bulbs to plant in spring for the ultimate selection. For help and advice, email our team at [email protected]