Gladiolus caeruleus

Gladiolus caeruleus is a gladiolus species native to the southwestern Cape of South Africa, where it grows on limestone outcrops and calcareous coastal sands. This cormous plant produces narrow, sword-shaped leaves and a flowering stem 40-60 cm tall. During the southern winter it bears a spike of pale blue flowers marked with dark blotches on the lower tepals, an unusual colour among South African gladiolus species. Like many Cape gladiolus, it grows best in full sun on well-drained soil and becomes dormant in summer after flowering.