Gladiolus Dared - Sword Lily

Gladiolus 'Dared' is a variety of bicoloured gladiolus with large flowers that stand out in flowerbeds. Beautiful funnel-shaped flowers with white variegation on a magenta-pink to Tyrian rose background are tightly packed on its flower spikes. In your bouquets and summer flowerbeds, surround it with light violet, white, pink, or blue flowers.

Originating from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, belonging to the Iridaceae family, the most colourful gladiolus species come from South Africa. Cultivated gladiolus are hybrids with large flowers and are divided into three main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus, and Nanus (butterflies). 'Dared' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs) that produce wide blade-shaped leaves in a fan-shaped clump that reaches approximately 80-90 cm (32-35in) high, depending on the growing conditions. The leaves are topped by a spike-like inflorescence with funnel-shaped flowers, approximately 10 cm (4in) wide, arranged unilaterally, mostly on the same side of the sturdy flower stem. The flowers have wide petals with curled edges.

Gladiolus and their long, often somewhat ostentatious, colourful flower spikes are a symbol of the 70s and slightly formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, in gardens their silhouette benefits from the presence of plants with lush or, conversely, delicate foliage that will enhance their slightly dense flowering. Plant them in groups in flowerbeds with salvias, grasses, monardas, wallflowers, and forget-me-nots to create large colourful bouquets. They are common in herb gardens, where they accompany vegetables. For the vase, cut the flower spikes when the first floret starts to open. Plant them at two-week intervals from early spring until the end of June to have flowers in the house and garden all summer.

The gladiolus gets its name from the shape of its sword-like leaves, derived from the Latin word gladius. Its wild forms were often depicted in jewellery or on carpets and fabrics made by the Semitic people before the Christian era.