Gladioli have been the mainstay of the professional floral business for decades, and now these stately stems of beaucoup buds are taking on a classic, retro look in homes and gardens.
Here’s what Dutch-born floral designer Rene van Rems, author of “Rene’s Bouquets,” says about the gladioli your grandmother probably included in her cut-flower garden. He and Lily Occasions, a component of the educational website iBulb.org, promote fresh-cut flowers from bulbs as sources of material for wedding bouquets and home-styled centerpieces.
How did the gladiolus get to America? The gladiolus hails primarily from South Africa, but some gladioli are native to the Canary Islands, England and Turkey as well. The name gladiolus comes from the Latin word “gladius,” meaning sword and refers to the plant’s sword-shaped leaves. The word “gladiator” comes from the same root word.
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