Uses of the Gladiolus and Its Culture 
By B. Hammond Tracy, Massachusetts 
THINGS happen so quietly in the floral world that 
the general public knows little about the develop- 
ment along- some special line ; and this is very 
noticeably true of the Gladiolus — the aristocrat of the 
summer garden, the good old-fashioned "gladiola" of 
our grandmothers' gardens. From the time that M. 
Souchet, the gardener for Napoleon III, introduced the 
Gladiolus as a florist's flower, the progress in its culture 
and development has been most remarkable. The results 
of the outpourings of nature's horn of plenty are shown 
in no flower more than in the ( iladiolus, and the garden 
glory of this magnificent flower, no longer called "too 
stiff," makes it a pleasure all through the summer. 
The modern Gladiolus is a flower of the future, for 
though much is known of it as a florist's flower, its pos- 
sibilities as a decorative asset in both homes and gardens 
are as yet little known or appreciated. It is perhaps more 
one. A truly lovely vase of pastel colors may be had 
with Niagara, Pink Perfection and Baron Hulot or 
Badenia. 
The soft coral pink of Gladiolus Dawn and the sensa- 
tional effect produced by masses of this coloring, coupled 
with its wonderful vitality, make it an indispensable 
adjunct in any garden scheme. Baron Hulot and Ba- 
denia are the finest of the blue Gladioli. The deep, rich, 
blue-purple of Baron Hulot and the true lavender 
of Badenia bring to mind endless color com- 
binations for the garden and the house — Badenia, planted 
with Spring Song, with pink snapdragons at the base, 
or Badenia and Paron Hulot blooming above branching 
Daybreak Asters. A most successful combination has 
been Paron Hulot with the soft apricot pink of Hollandia 
or Scarsdale and Schawben. 
Panama, the brilliant new rose pink, with its sister 
Lily Lehman. Pure White until just a 
tint of pink on tips of petals. 
Pink- Perfection. True La France Pink 
in color. Large open flowers. 
Niagara. Light crocus yellow in color, 
shading deeper at throat. 
essentially a cut flower, but most satisfactory effects may 
be achieved by judicious planting. 
Planted in clumps in front of shrubbery, or in the 
hardy border, they will give a mass of color from early 
July until cut down by the first envious frost, this con- 
tinued period of bloom being made possible by successive 
plantings, or by planting different sized bulbs. In this 
position nothing gives greater satisfaction than the bril- 
liant rose of Gladiolus Independence, which in coloring 
and lasting qualities is unsurpassed. Brenchleyensis, 
Isaac Buchanan, and Augusta are all especially fine for 
garden work and are not prohibitive in price. The 
variety Niagara, with its most remarkable coloring, a 
very clear nankeen or creamy buff, with just a pencil 
mark of the faintest lavender in the throat, commands 
attention whether seen in the garden or in the vase. 
Planted above a carpet of purple Petunias or surrounded 
by the rich tones of Salpiglossis, it is most effective. The 
buff of Niagara, with the brown of Africa, gives an 
unusual floral color combination and a most attractive 
b'onm, America, placed in a vase with Gladiolus Lily 
I eluran needs only to be tried to prove its beauty. 
In all the gorgeous array of colors to be found in the 
lists of Gladioli, the variety Mrs. Francis King, that 
wonderful flame (link, is unsurpassed. For brilliancy of 
coloring and fine form it has no rivals in decorative effect. 
Equally as beautiful and of the same graceful form, 
with a softer coral coloring, is Halley, a magnificent, 
large-flowered variety and especially popular because or 
its early and extended season of bloom. 
The Primulinus Hybrids in all their daintiness of form 
and coloring give an entirely new note to Gladiolus pro- 
ductions. The attractive shape of the blooms and the 
wide range of color, from the lightest yellow, through 
bronze and orange, to deepest rose, have made these 
hybrids very desirable. 
The gorgeous coloring of Mrs. Frank Pendleton finds 
a pleasing foil in the silvery whiteness of Glory of Hol- 
land or Queen of Whites. 
A porch vase of Jean Dieulafoy or Maize arranged 
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