Gladiolus byzantinus

Planting Advice:

• Plant 10 to 15cm (4-6in) deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with a little grit or sharp sand added to improved drainage.
• Gladioli need plenty of water to flower well, so if you can, dig in well-rotted manure or compost to the soil before planting, which will help retain water.
• Plant bulbs at twice the depth of the height of the bulb and four times their width apart. e.g. 5cm tall bulbs need to be planted 10cm below the surface of the ground and 20cm apart.
• Please check the bag for any additional planting instructions.
• They are fine to plant even if a little green growth is showing, they’ll just need a good watering when you plant them, and then only when the soil is dry.
• While all the energy that a bulb needs in order to grow is stored in the bulb itself, they will do better if you feed them when in active green growth.
• Plant in herbaceous borders, in pots, or leave in the ground to naturalise.
• If planted in pots be sure to water frequently and keep moist.
   

Aftercare Advice:

• Mulch over winter and corms can be left in the ground to naturalise in warmer parts of the UK. If your area is frost-prone, then in colder counties, grow them in a sheltered spot and lift them for the winter when the leaves turn brown.
• If planted in pots, stop watering at the end of the summer and bring the pots under cover for the winter.
• Allow the bulb leaves to die down naturally they can give you a long and lovely spring display.
• Water freely through the summer.
• If planted in pots be sure to water frequently and keep moist.

Pruning Advice:

• Cut off the old flower spikes as soon as the bloom period is over (unless you require the seeds)