Gladiolus pole-evansii Seeds Rare Indigenous South African Perennial Bulb Seeds from Africa

Gladiolus pole-evansii Seeds

Rare South African Endemic 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 cutting 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. The Australian comedian and personality Dame Edna Everage's signature flowers are gladioli, which she refers to as "glads". Gladiolus pole-evansii is a rare South African endemic species from the Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces where it can be found from Verena to Groblersdal growing on granite basement rock. It grows to 1.1 meters tall with a fan of narrow glaucous-green leaves. During summer it bears a branched flower stem with translucent flesh-pink flowers with markings on the lower tepals. The flower bracts exude a sugar solution which attracts large ants which in turn attracts insectivorous birds.