Gladiolus ochroleucus

Native to the grasslands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, also growing at the edge of bush and woodland with year-round rainfall, Gladiolus ochroleucus is an evergreen cormous Iridaceae with upright, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves. Its funnel-shaped flowers, borne in a spike, vary from pink and light mauve to reddish, or whitish flushed brown on the reverse; the dorsal tepal is hooded and the lower tepals show dark purple-red streaks on a white base. Flowering occurs almost year-round, peaking in summer. The plant thrives in full sun with regular watering in growth, well-drained soil, and a drier winter.