Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus

Also Known As

Gladiolus communis byzantinus
Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus 'Cruentus'
Corn Flags

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 18"-24"
W: 12"-18"

planting zones

5a-11

More Options

Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus plant details

Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring magenta, pink and red flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: iridaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: magenta, pink and red blooms in spring
Uses: showy, summer dormant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus

USDA Zones: 5a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This is NOT the puny, cheap impostor you’ll get virtually everywhere else, but Southern-grown corms of the authentic, deep magenta heirloom that’s winter hardy to zone 6 and multiplies happily year after year. A wild, perennial glad, it blooms with graceful, orchid-like flowers in earliest summer as it has since colonial days. Bill Welch of Texas A&M calls it “a delightful plant often found in old cottage gardens,” Christopher Lloyd planted it lavishly at Great Dixter, and in fall 2006 we honored it as our Heirloom Bulb of the Year. Aka G. communis var. byzantinus ‘Cruentus’, 24-36”, zones 6-9aS/11aWC, from Louisiana and Texas.

By: Old House Gardens

Native to the mediteranian, this old time favorite has been growing reliable in old gardens for hundreds of years. Particularly well adapted to warm, southern climates. Cold hardy to zone 6, perhaps lower. Large commercially grown bulbs (6+ cm around.)

By: Edens Blooms

This Gladiolus finds a happy medium between the overblown hybrid glads and some of the interesting but sometimes spindly South African species glads. Grows to about 1.5 feet tall with wide strappy foliage and lots of flower stalks, each one with many individual flowers. The blooms are pinkish magenta, blooming in spring through summer, and generally don’t need staking. They make excellent cut flowers as well. This glad will spread and multiply easily for you. Native to Spain and North Africa. Best in well-drained soil. A very hardy species Gladiolus.