5 Gladiolus ecklonii Seeds - Indigenous South African Perennial Bulb - Combined Global Shipping

Gladiolus ecklonii Seeds

South African Indigenous Flowering Perennial Bulb

Gladiolus is the largest genus in the Iridaceae family with around 255 species. They are perennial bulbous flowering plants, sometimes called ‘Sword lilies’, but usually by its generic name, Gladiolus. It has been studied by taxonomists and now includes the genera Acidanthera, Homoglossum, Anomalesia and Oenostachys. The geographic range includes Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and the Middle East. They are treasured the world over for their beautiful, showy flowers which grow on tall spikes. These plants are often planted in cut flower gardens or in the back along the border, as they grow 60cm to 1.8 m tall. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily grown in raised garden beds and rockeries. Most Gladioli do equally well in pots. Gladioli are the flowers associated with a fortieth wedding anniversary. Gladiolus ecklonii is a very attractive indigenous plant from the summer rainfall area of South Africa where it is found in well-watered low grassland. It grows to 30 cm in height and blooms in summer when it bears flowers that are variably minutely spotted or dotted pink, red or purple on a white background. The lower tepals are yellow to cream. The attractive leaves are bright green in a fan with thickened margins. The species is named after C. F. Ecklon, the plant collector who first sent seeds of it to the Hamburg Botanic Garden. Synonyms for this species include Gladiolus marmoratus and Gladiolus inclusus. These make excellent cut flowers for small to medium sized vases.