GLADIOLUS 



FLAG OBDEB 



GLADIOLUS 947 



bold masses to produce an effect. During 

 the winter they should be protected from 

 frost and cold rains by a covering of 

 leaves, litter &c., or a handlight. They 

 may be increased by separating the offsets 

 from the old bulbs when the leaves have 

 begun to wither. 



S. grandiflora. — A pretty South 

 African bulbous plant with lance-shaped 

 pointed leaves arranged in two rows, and 

 reaching a height of 1-2 ft. Mowers in 

 April and May, deep violet-purple, white 

 or variegated, often with a deeper 

 coloured blotch at the base of the oblong 

 wedge - shaped segments. There are 

 several forms of this species. 



Culture dc. as above. 



S. tricolor. — Another pretty South 

 African species resembling S. grcmcUJtora 

 in appearance but having rich orange-, 

 red blossoms with a yellow centre and 

 a purple-brown triangular blotch at the 

 base of the segments. The flowers 

 appear in May and June, usually before 

 those of the j)receding species. There are 

 several forms known varying chiefly in 

 colour, some being white suffused with 

 rose, others bright rose or purple with 

 a yellowish centre and deeper coloured 

 blotches. 



Culture Sc. as above. 



GLADIOLUS (Corn Flag; Sword 

 Lilt). — This genus consists of beautiful 

 plants havingfibrous-coated corms (usually 

 called bulbs), sword-like plaited or ribbed 

 leaves, and one-sided spikes of flowers. 

 The perianth is more or less incurved, 

 with a very short or elongated tube, 

 obliquely funnel - shaped, more or less 

 dilated at the throat, and having unequal 

 lobes, the 3 upper ones usually larger 

 than the others, erect, convex or incurved, 

 the 3 lower ones often spotted or blotched, 

 usually narrowed at the base, sometimes 

 clawed. Filaments free. 



Such are the main characters of the 

 natural species of Gladiolus, but in the 

 gorgeous hybrids now so popular in gar- 

 dens a good deal of modification, chiefly 

 iu size, has taken place, and it would 

 perhaps be difficult for the uninitiated to 

 recognise any relationship between the 

 hybrid forms of gandavensis, Lemovnei, 

 nanceianus and Childsi, and the natural 

 species from which they have been derived. 



Culture and Propagation. — Although 

 the vrild types cannot compare in size, 

 brilliancy, or effect with their descendants, 



many of them are nevertheless well 

 worth a place in the flower garden. They 

 flourish in warm sunny parts of the 

 garden and prefer a rather stiff loamy 

 soil to any other. Like all plants with 

 bulbs or corms they dislike stagnant 

 moisture at tlie root, and one of the most 

 important points in their cultivation is to 

 see that the soil is well drained. Where- 

 ever Strawberries and Roses grow freely 

 and well, in such soil also will the Gladiolus 

 as a rule thrive. Although the ground may 

 be enriched with manure it is not wise to 

 allow the corms to be in direct contact 

 with it. The manure should be at least 

 9 in. below the surface of the soil, and as 

 the corms are planted at a depth of 4-6 

 in., they are thus well above it. 



The multiplication of the Gladiolus is 

 an easy process. The old corms produce a 

 number of offsets in the same way as the 

 Crocus, Bahiana, Crocosma and Tritonia, 

 and by detaching these when the corms are 

 lifted in autumn or as soon as the leaves 

 begin to turn yellow, a fresh supply of 

 plants is obtained. 



Seeds may also be sown as soon as 

 ripe or in early spring under slight 

 protection, and about the third year 

 flowering corms will be produced. "Where 

 however seed saving is not a Considera- 

 tion, it is wise for the sake of strengthen- 

 ing the corms underground to cut off 

 the flower spikes as soon as over. The 

 nourishmeijt that would thus go to feed 

 the ripening seeds is drafted into the 

 corms instead. 



Out of about 90, the following is a list 

 of the best natural species of Gladiolus for 

 the flower garden. I have considered it 

 best to keep them separate from the 

 Hybrid Gladioli which form a distinct 

 group requiring special notice (see p. 949). 



Except where otherwise stated they 

 are natives of S. Africa. 



G. blandus. — ^A splendid species 6-24 

 in. high, with ribbed sword-like leaves. 

 Flowers in June, 8-10 on a scape, large, 

 white with red markings and a yellow 

 tube shorter than the spathe. 



Culture do. as above. 



G. byzantinus. — A native of Turkey 

 and Asia Minor about 2 ft. high with deep 

 green narrow leaves and spikes of beauti- 

 M red flowers produced in June, often 

 shaded with reddish- violet or purple. 



Culture dc. as above. 



i< p 2 



