Gladioli Taking On A Classic, Retro Look In Homes & Gardens

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.

In Gloucester, Brent and Becky's Bulbs features Gladiolus communis, smaller flowered and hardier than their summer-blooming cousins. Nicknamed sword lily, corn lily or flags, the stems produce deep purplish, reddish-pink flowers, often with white strips in the inner segments. Small flowers appear up and down 20- to 24-inch-tall stems that do not need staking and bloom late spring. Fifty bulbs cost $19.50 at http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 804-693-3966. The bulb is cold hardy zones 5-10.

"This particular glad is planted in the fall, and it often blooms during Historic Garden Week in Virginia (www.VaGardenWeek.org) for us," says Becky Heath.

The Heaths sell regular glads, which are planted late spring, in their summer bulbs catalog. Glads like to be planted 6-10 inches deep in well-drained soil in full sun to a little shade. They dislike wet soil.

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