Gladiolus Far West - Sword Lily

Gladiolus 'Far West' is a new variety of hybrid gladiolus with an incredibly exuberant bicoloured flowering in purplish pink and bright yellow. Its sturdy flower stalks bear bright, eye-catching flowers in the garden or as a cut flower. It blooms in grand style, from July to September-October: pair it with the feathery plumes of grasses or the variegated foliage of fennel...

Cultivated gladioli are hybrids, belonging to the Iris family. They are divided into 3 major groups: Grandiflorus (large-flowered), Primulinus (early-flowering), and Nanus (butterfly). 'Far West' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with broad sword-shaped, dark green leaves, arranged in a fan-shaped clump 1m (3ft) tall when in flower. From the leaves, a spike-like inflorescence with funnel-shaped flowers, 11cm (4in) long, that open in groups of 7 emerges. They are intense pink to dark red on the edges, surrounding a bright yellow throat. Their light fragrance is very pleasant as a cut flower. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem with scales. 

Gladioli and their long colourful flower stalks are symbols of the 70s and slightly formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, in gardens their silhouette needs the presence of plants with lush foliage that will enhance their abundant flowering. Plant 'Far West' in beds of sage, forget-me-nots, and willowherbs for example. Play with a wide range of pink shades for a pleasant gradient and enhance the mix by adding flowers or foliage in violet or purple here and there. The feathery flower spikes of linaria or grasses beautifully highlight their flowering. Gladioli are regulars in cottage gardens, where they can accompany vegetables. For making bouquets, cut the flower stalks 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. 

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