Gladiolus x grandiflorus Kim - Sword Lily

The Gladiolus or Gladiolus 'Kim' is a variety with rather short floral stems, yet adorned with numerous floral buds. Its summer flowering displays a violet colour, illuminated by lighter areas, light violet to white. As graceful as they are bright, these floral spikes blend perfectly with the delicate foliage of fennels, the plumes of grasses, and the green blooms, creating a beautiful mass composition and enhancing bouquets.

Originating from 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, divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus, and Nanus (butterflies). 'Kim' belongs to the Grandiflorus group even though its flowers are narrower than those of the usual large hybrids. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs), broad sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan shape, forming a clump about 50 to 75 cm tall when in bloom, depending on growing conditions. The leaves are topped by a spike inflorescence with funnel-shaped flowers, 8-9 cm wide, arranged unilaterally, mostly on one side of the floral stem. The 6 tepals (or undifferentiated petals) are slightly undulate.

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 tapestries and fabrics made by the Semites before the Christian era.