Gladiolus tubergenii Charming Lady - Sword Lily

The Gladiolus tubergenii 'Charming Lady' is part of a wonderful series of hybrids called 'Charm': small in size but floriferous and early flowering, these gladioli have delicate flowers and are also more cold-resistant than the usual large hybrids. This one offers delicate flowers in a pale pink-lilac colour with a mauve median line and chartreuse reflections towards the throat, starting from June. Its flowering period is long and it renews itself for several weeks on secondary flower spikes. This variety, too rare in our gardens, is simply charming in the beds of large perennials or with old roses for a guaranteed romantic atmosphere.

Cultivated gladioli are hybrids belonging to the Iridaceae family. They are divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus (early) and Nanus (butterflies). 'Charming Lady' belongs to the "tubergenii", which are classified as Nanus. These are complex hybrids, small in size and with a predominantly spring flowering. 'Charming Lady', registered in 1961, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It stands out both for its modest size and its cold resistance (up to -12°C (10.4°F) under protective mulch), allowing it to overwinter in the ground in many regions. The leaves are wide, sword-shaped, arranged in a fan shape and form a clump about 30 cm (12in) high. The leaves are topped by one or more slender spikes, about 60-65 cm (24-26in) tall, with funnel-shaped flowers about 5-6 cm (2in) long, well-spaced. The flowers are particularly delightful, composed of 6 tepals in a pale mauve pink colour with a more intense mauve median zone and a light chartreuse wash in the throat. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem with scales.

While gladioli and their long colourful spikes are often associated with the 70s and somewhat formal floral arrangements, the "tubergenii" have a more natural look and blend beautifully with other garden plants. No more difficult to grow than most tulips in not too harsh climates, they create superb bursts of colour in flower beds and borders. For a romantic atmosphere, plant 'Charming Lady' alongside old roses, euphorbias, perennial geraniums or sage, playing with a range of colors, and add some grasses like Stipa to your bed. Gladioli are familiar in cottage gardens, where they accompany vegetables right up to the kitchen. For making bouquets, cut the flower spikes when the first floret starts to open. Plant them at intervals of two weeks from early spring until the end of June to have flowers in the house and garden all summer long.

The 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 jewelry or on carpets and fabrics made by the Semites before the Christian era.