Gladiolus byzantinus - SFA Gardens

Gladiolus byzantinus
Common Name: Byzantine gladiolus
Zone: 6-9
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial
Family: Iridaceae (Iris)
Texas Native: No
Origin: Spain
Height: 3’
Bloom: Spikes of bold magenta flowers in spring (April in Texas)
Water: Drought tolerant, needs well drained soil
Maintenance: Cut back when tops die back during summer dormancy.
Propagation: Division of corms during summer dormancy

Unlike the large flowered garden gladiolus that generally have to be staked for the
summer and lifted and divided for the winter, this heirloom stalwart is a long lived sturdy
perennial which stands on its own. Found in many Southern cottage gardens as well as
abandoned homesites, its longevity is measured in centuries not years. All it needs is full
sun, winter moisture, and summer drought. It’s an excellent cut flower as well as
showpiece for the perennial border. In 2006 it was named the Heirloom Bulb of the
Year. Make sure and order from proven sources, as most sell a pale pink, inferior,
smaller-flowered species that over multiplies, blooms sporadically, and tends to flop in
the garden. Its corms are smaller and much cheaper. The real McCoy can be had from
the following sources:
http://bayoucityheirloombulbs.com
http://plantdelights.com
http://southernbulbs.com
Greg Grant, Research Associate, SFA Gardens – grantdamon@sfasu.edu