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Gladiolus Elvive - Sword Lily

Gladiolus x grandiflorus Elvive
Large-Flowered Gladiolus, Sword Lily

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The gladioli don't look anything like the photo, they are plain and pink in colour. I'm really disappointed because I would have liked to have the same thing as in the picture... they are pretty in themselves but not how I would have wished.

Corentin , 26/08/2023

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More information

A stunning gladiolus with large flowers in a harmonious range of pink-purple tones. Its 8 cm (3in) wide corollas are a vibrant lilac pink with a very light, centre leaning towards mauve; the base of the petals is marked with dark purple-violet. They cluster together on a 1.10 m (4ft) floral stem. Gladiolus flowers provide a spectacle throughout the summer in your garden or in a vase.
Flower size
8 cm
Height at maturity
1.10 m
Spread at maturity
20 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Gladiolus 'Elvive' is a variety with large flowers beautifully coloured in a lovely harmony of intermediate shades between pink and purple. Beautiful corollas open from bottom to top of its tall flowering stems with flowers which are bright lilac pink in the centre and fade to a light mauve, with the base of the petals spotted with dark purple. Surround it with light violet, white, pink, or blue flowers.  

Originally from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, belonging to the Iridaceae family, the most colourful gladiolus species come from South Africa. Cultivated gladioli are hybrids with large flowers, divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus, and Nanus (butterflies). 'Elvive' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs) that produce wide sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan-shaped clump of about 1.10 m (4ft) tall, depending on the growing conditions. The leaves are topped by a flower spike with funnel-shaped, 8 cm (3in) wide flowers, arranged unilaterally, almost on the same side of the sturdy floral stem. They are composed of wide petals with a slightly pleated edge. 

Gladioli and their long, often somewhat ostentatious, coloured flower spikes are symbols of the 70s and slightly formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, in gardens they need the presence of plants with lush or, conversely, light foliage, which will enhance their somewhat dense flowering. Plant them in groups in beds of salvias, grasses, monardas, wallflowers, and forget-me-nots to create large colourful compositions. They are regulars in cottage gardens, grown with vegetables. For cut flowers, cut the flower spikes when the first floret starts to open. Plant them at two-week intervals from early spring until the end of June to have flowers in the house and garden all summer long.

Gladiolus gets its name from the shape of its sword-shaped leaves, derived from the Latin word gladius. Its wild forms were often depicted in jewellery or on tapestries and fabrics made by the Semitic people before the Christian era.

 

 

 

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.10 m
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 8 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Gladiolus

Species

x grandiflorus

Cultivar

Elvive

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Large-Flowered Gladiolus, Sword Lily

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference171001

Planting and care

Hybrid gladioli love rich, fertile soils that are well-drained and sandy and full sun. Space the bulbs or corms 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) apart, covered with 10 cm (4in) of soil. Feed after cutting the flowers. Avoid using manure, as it promotes bulb rot. Gladioli are susceptible to frost, so they should be dug up when they have withered or immediately after the first frost. Cut the leaves and let them dry in a well-ventilated area for three weeks. Remove the old bulbs. Store the new bulbs and bulblets throughout the winter in a cool place, protected from frost. The bulblets will bloom in two years. It is a good idea not to plant gladioli bulbs in the same spot for consecutive years. An annual rotation will yield better results. In mild climates, Gladioli can be planted in September-October and left in place for the winter.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
Planting depth 10 cm

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 35 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs to be stored
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