Gladiolus papilio

Also Known As

Butterfly Gladiolus
Goldblotch Gladiolus

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 18"-24"
W: 6"-18"

planting zones

7a-11

More Options

Gladiolus papilio plant details

Gladiolus papilio is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In summer lavender flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Gladiolus papilio

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: iridaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 IN - 18 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: lavender blooms in summer
Uses: tolerates summer planting

GROWING CONDITIONS for Gladiolus papilio

USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A very intriguing and hardy NEW Gladiola from South Africa! Naturalizing, vertical stems to 3’ sport dusky pink flowers with a hint of smoky gray in late summer, an unusual hue that makes a spectacular cut flower arrangement! Full sun, well drained soils – takes some drought when established. Deer resistant and easy to grow.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Narrow tall Iris-like foliage and tall wiry stems hold soft slate-lilac flowers with a soft yellow green throat and dark pink to red markings. This is an old fashioned and curious plant from southern Africa that has been grown in the UK since 1866. It spreads by undergrown rhizomes and is well placed in the mid to back border.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

One of the latest to bloom, with most unusual colors. Buds and outside of the open bloom is cream overlaid with dusky purple, the inside is marked with two golden blotches, which are fading out to purple. Look very much like a watercolor painting. Easy to

By: Edelweiss Perennials

A most improbable looking Glad but one you will be glad to grow. Pun intended. This most interesting plant increases like happy rabbits making numerous cormlets which quickly turn into flowering bulbs bearing white flowers brushed with purple and a yellow splash inside. Hardy.

By: Far Reaches Farm

A vigorous easy to grow late blooming species Gladiolus for those who appreciate refined charm and subtle color. Hardy to 5° F to -7° F and growing up to 3.5' tall and 1' across, the arching bronzy stems are gracefully topped by mauve buds opening into 2” funnel shaped flowers. Peer inside and behold! Stunning, painterly moth shaped markings of maroon and gold giving this species its common name. Blooms appear from late Summer thru early Fall and make wonderful cut flowers, so much more sophisticated than the common modern hybrids. Grows in any soil - EVEN CLAY - but especially will thrive in rich, moist, humusy soil, rewarding you with a steadily increasing clump. Deciduous. From South Africa.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Butterfly Gladiolus has 4' tall grey green stems with nodding buff-ivory flowers that have a yellow and maroon throat. Spreads to form a colony.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

A species gladiola -- lovely, simple, and unusual with grassy foliage, to 2 ft tall, and a flower stalk that rises above in August and September showing off lavender blooms with purplish “butterfly” markings inside. They need well-drained soil with consistent summer moisture and bright light. Best planted where they have plenty of room and robust neighbors. Perennial, dying back in winter and returning in spring. Frost hardy to 0F, USDA zone 7.