Gladiolus x grandiflorus Prince of Orange - Sword Lily

The Gladiolus or Gladiolus 'Prince of Orange' is a variety of tall size, ideal for mid or back of borders, or large borders. Its flowers bloom in summer in a mandarin orange colour. The pleated and finely undulated petals are tinted with orange-red and yellow at the tips. The stems are strong, stout, covered with numerous buds. As graceful as they are bright, the floral spikes also create beautiful compositions in 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). 'Prince of Orange' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs), broad sword-shaped leaves, arranged in a fan shape, forming a clump of approximately 1.20 to 1.50 m 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 undulated.

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.