Gladiolus dalenii

An interesting and notoriously variable species, hence the cause of endless and confusing name changes and synonyms. During the summer only foliage to be seen, but by the end November flowering starts and lasts, weather permitting (-5°C is the limit) until the new year. Leave them undisturbed in a sheltered spot with deep loose soil to allow its reproduction by stolons. Interesting to note is the different times of flowering and colours of the same species depending on geographical origin of the species or subspecies.

The genus

The popular horticultural gladioli are mostly summer-flowering hybrids derived from species growing in subtropical regions with summer rain. Only two of these species and a cultivar are presented in our winter catalog. However, there is a very important section of winter-growing species from the Cape and the Mediterranean area. They are spring-flowering and very suitable for the Mediterranean climate and are available for planting in late summer or autumn. The South African winter-growing species are generally elegant rather than exuberant. Many have well-spaced tubular flowers rather than a lot of them crammed together.They also are very good pot plants.

Family :Iridaceae
Section :Ophiolyza/Ophiolyza
Native to :Afrique du Sud à Éthiopie
Native climate :sub tropical (dry winter)
Colour :Yellow, Red
Hardiness :medium
Exposure :sheltered, full sun
Storage organ :corm
Growth :summer grower
Flowering height :70-100 cm
Uses :Borders - In the ground - Containers or pot

Growing cycle

	Jan				Feb				Mar				Apr				May				Jun				Jul				Aug				Sep				Oct				Nov				Dec
Planting
Growth
Flowering

Planting :January (sem. 2-4), February (sem. 1-4), March (sem. 1-4), April (sem. 2-4)

Growth :January (sem. 1-2), June (sem. 1-4), July (sem. 1-4), August (sem. 1-4), September (sem. 1-4), October (sem. 1-4), November (sem. 1-4), December (sem. 1-4)

Flowering :January (sem. 1-1), November (sem. 3-4), December (sem. 1-4)