|
|
|
|
Gladiolii tristis
I have grown this spring flowering Gladiolii in my garden for well over 20 years. My corms have known three gardens now. They are such a joy as the flowering stems emerge from the tiny corms every spring without any fuss. No need to lift the corms or divide the expanding clumps.No staking is required for the 45 cm long slender flowering stems.
Gladiolii tristis is a species from the province of Natal in South Africa. It is a winter grower, the corms being dormant through the hot summer months.I have always grown it in very well drained soil with the addition of compost in full sun. The flowers are borne from early to late September and make a fantastic cut flower. Green buds open to a pale sulphur creamy yellow. But it is the fragrance that I adore. The sweetest perfume will fragrance the largest room and rival any air freshener.In its native habitat this Gladiolii must be pollinated by nocturnal insects or moths because the fragrance is not released until around five o’clock in the evening. All evening the fragrance is divine but by morning there is no evidence of it.
Look for corms of this Gladiolii in the bulb section from Late February and plant them immediately.
|
|
|
