Gladiolus byzantinus (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Late speing to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 90cm
Eventual Spread: 20cm
Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Iridaceae
Gladiolus byzantinus is a deciduous herbaceous bulbous (corm) perennial with an upright habit. Its mid green leaves are erect and sword shaped with entire margins, . Its red/ dark pink flowers are funnel shaped, up to 5cm across and borne on erect flowering spikes. Its roots emerge from corms, these will produce cormlets which enables its spread.
Gladiolus byzantinus, commonly known as Byzantine Gladiolus, is native to the Mediterranean region. Gladiolus byzantinus is synonymous with Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus.
The etymological root of the binomial name Gladiolus is derived from the Latin meaning ‘little sword’, in reference to its leaves. Byzantinus is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Istanbul’.
The landscape architect may find Gladiolus byzantinus useful as part of a herbaceous planting scheme.
Gladiolus byzantinus Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Gladiolus byzantinus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Gladiolus byzantinus their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Gladiolus byzantinus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.
Gladiolus byzantinus requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided during the winter months by separating the cormlets.
