GLADIOLI are fast reclaiming their spot on the horticultural catwalk. Just as we’ve seen dahlias shed their old-fashioned image over the past few years, ‘glads’ are now increasingly in demand. Always a showy plant, they have long been associated with rock stars and performers while also winning many horticultural accolades with their stunning blooms. So, while they have never completely fallen from grace, perhaps in these straightened times we’re all in need of the rich colours and pure glamour they bring.
Gladioli are also known as sword lilies due to their spiky foliage, which is accompanied by tall flower spires crammed with gorgeous blooms that look just as good in the garden as in a vase. Sarah Raven describes them as the “tulip for your summer garden”, and they are good for providing colour, structure and elegance. With such a strong vertical form, gladioli are the perfect foil for late-summer borders filled
