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    • Photo of Gladiolus papilio flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy 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

    3 inch pot | $13

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    39 at Secret Garden Growers

    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

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    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. Gladiolus papilio is an old fashioned and curious plant from southern Africa that has been grown in the UK since 1866. It spreads by underground rhizomes and is well-placed in the mid to back border.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    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

    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.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Gladiolus papilio plant

    How to Grow Gladiolus papilio

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • lavender

    • Wildlife

      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • grassy

    See other plant types of Gladiolus for your garden

    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 communis ssp. byzantinus

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

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    5a-11

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

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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
    View Plant

    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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