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    • Photo of Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    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.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Tough as nails this species provides dense 2' spires of reddish-purple with white stripes in May-June. Let it go dry when dormant. Reliable bloomer.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus plant

    How to Grow Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • pink
      • red
      • magenta

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Gladiolus for your garden

    Gladiolus papilio

    aka Butterfly Gladiolus, Goldblotch Gladiolus

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 6"-18"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Gladiolus papilio flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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    Gladiolus dalenii 'Halloweenie'

    aka Gladioulus 'Halloweenie', Halloween Hardy Glad

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 60"

    Width: 6"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gladiolus dalenii 'Halloweenie' flower by Karl Gercens III
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    Gladiolus 'Adi'

    aka Adi Hardy Gladiolus

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 36"

    Width: 12"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Gladiolus 'Adi' flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
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    Gladiolus murielae

    aka Acidanthera bicolor, Acidanthera murielae, Gladiolus callianthus, Abyssinian Gladiolus, Gragrant Gladiolus, Peacock Gladiolus, Peacock Orchid, Sword Lily

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gladiolus murielae close-up, flower by Peter Forster
    View Plant

    More Options

    Gladiolus cardinalis

    aka Hardy Gladiolus

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 18"-30"

    Width: 10"-12"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Gladiolus cardinalis flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    +110 more Gladiolus
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