Gladiolus nanus

'Gladiolus nanus' is not a valid botanical species but a long-standing horticultural group, the Nanus or dwarf hybrid gladioli, bred in the 19th century from crosses among several small-flowered South African species such as G. tristis, G. carinatus and G. cardinalis. These hybrids grow from a tunicated corm and bear narrow, sword-shaped leaves, with a short 40–60 cm stem in late spring to early summer carrying 6 to 7 funnel-shaped flowers, smaller than grandiflora types, in shades from white to pink, red and bicolours. They are hardier than standard garden gladioli and tolerate colder winters. Grow in well-drained soil, in full sun, planting the corms in spring.