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Gladiolus x grandiflorus Deep Purple - Sword Lily

Gladiolus x grandiflorus Deep Purple
Sword Lily, Gladiolus

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A variety of gladiolus quite tall and floriferous. Its rather simple-looking flowers, without frills, are bicoloured, with petals purplish-violet illuminated by a wide white throat plunging into a small yellow heart. To be grown in rich and well-drained soil.
Flower size
9 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to June
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

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The Gladiolus 'Deep Purple' is a fairly tall variety, ideal for medium-sized borders or large edges. Its bicoloured inflorescences bloom in summer from very dark, almost black buds, into purple-violet flowers illuminated by a broad white throat, slightly marked with yellow. The stems are strong, stout, covered with numerous buds. Graceful and luminous, the floral spikes also create beautiful bouquet compositions.

Native to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, belonging to the Iridaceae family, the most colourful Gladiolus species come from South Africa. Cultivated gladioli are hybrids with large flowers, classified into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus, and Nanus (butterflies). 'Deep Purple' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs), broad sword-shaped leaves arranged fan-like, forming a clump of approximately 1.20 metres in height when in flower, depending on growing conditions. The leaves are topped by a spike inflorescence with funnel-shaped flowers, 10 cm wide, arranged unilaterally, almost on the same side of the floral stem. The 6 tepals (or undifferentiated petals) are slightly undulate.

Gladioli, with their sometimes extravagant long colourful spikes, evoke the 70s and somewhat formal floral compositions. Essential in bouquets, they gain charm in the garden when accompanied by plants with opulent or airy foliage, softening their dense flowering. Plant them in groups in beds with catmints, chamomiles, small grasses, toadflaxes, bee balms, wallflowers, and forget-me-nots to create large colourful bouquets. These flowers, typical of cottage gardens, also find their place in the vegetable patch, among the vegetables. For bouquets, cut the spikes as soon as the first floret starts to open. Plant gladioli every two weeks, from early spring until late June, to enjoy them in flower throughout the summer, at home and in the garden.


The gladiolus owes its name to the shape of its sword-like leaves, derived from the Latin gladius. Its wild forms were often depicted in jewellery or on carpets and fabrics made by the Semites before the Christian era.

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Gladiolus x grandiflorus Deep Purple - Sword Lily in pictures

Gladiolus x grandiflorus Deep Purple - Sword Lily (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 9 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green
Foliage description sword-shaped

Botanical data

Genus

Gladiolus

Species

x grandiflorus

Cultivar

Deep Purple

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Sword Lily, Gladiolus

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 23517

Planting and care

The hybrid gladioli 'Deep Purple' thrive in rich, fertile, well-drained, sandy soils. Plant in full sun. Space the bulbs or corms 10 to 15 cm apart, covered with 10 cm of soil. Fertilise after cutting the flowers. Avoid using manure which promotes bulb rot. Gladioli are sensitive to frost. They should therefore be dug up when faded or immediately after the first frosts. Cut the leaves and let them dry in a well-ventilated place for three weeks. Remove the old bulbs. Store the new bulbs and bulblets throughout the winter in a cool place, but protected from frost. The bulblets will bloom in two years. It is advisable not to plant gladioli bulbs in the same spot for several years in a row. An annual rotation will yield better results. In mild climates, Gladioli can be planted in September-October and overwinter in place.

Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to June
Planting depth 10 cm

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) 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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