Care of the bulbous plant Gladiolus carneus or Painted Lady Gladiolus |
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The genus Gladiolus, family Iridaceae, comprises about 250 species of bulbous plants native to Africa, Eurasia and Madagascar. Some species and hybrids are: Gladiolus carneus, Gladiolus x gandavensis, Gladiolus communis, Gladiolus flanaganii, Gladiolus illyricus, Gladiolus italicus, Gladiolus alatus. Common names: Painted Lady Gladiolus, Broadleaf Painted-Lady. This species is native to South Africa. They are evergreen bulbous plants that reach 60 cm (23.62") in height. The leaves are linear and of an intense green color. The showy, attractive pink flowers appear in erect clusters. They bloom in late spring. They are used in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes, in borders, as a cut flower for floral decorations and in pots for patios, terraces and balconies. The Gladiolus carneus needs full sun exposure and a warm, dry climate. They resist light and occasional frosts. They grow in any type of soil that has good drainage. They are drought resistant plants that need moderate watering waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. They do not need fertilizer. Prune off wilted flower stems after flowering. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to the accumulation of water in the roots. They are propagated from seeds sown in autumn in the seedbed and by division in late winter. |
Images of the bulbous plant Gladiolus carneus or Painted Lady Gladiolus |
 Gladiolus carneus  Gladiolus carneus |