Gladiolus grandiflorus Hugo - Sword Lily

Gladiolus 'Hugo' is a variety of large-flowered gladiolus prized for its vibrant fuchsia pink colour with a pale pink throat, and its tightly packed corollas on robust stems of about 1 m. Its spikes open gradually from the bottom upwards, making it an excellent cut flower and a vertical accent in sunny borders. Grow it in the ornamental garden or in a dedicated cutting corner of the vegetable patch.

From a botanical point of view, Gladiolus 'Hugo' belongs to the Iridaceae family, which includes many species originating mainly from southern Africa and Mediterranean regions. It is a so-called "bulbous" perennial: in spring, the corm produces a narrow clump of medium green, upright, strap-like leaves, followed by tall, stiff flowering stems. This above-ground growth dies back at the end of the season, while the corm goes dormant.
'Hugo' is classified in the horticultural group of large-flowered gladioli (Grandiflorus or Grandiflora). This cultivar bears dense spikes of large funnel-shaped flowers, with crinkled tepals, in a purplish fuchsia pink, lightening towards the centre to a very pale pink, almost white. Flowering lasts from July to September, sometimes into October in mild climates, depending on the planting date. Gladiolus flowers 8 to 12 weeks after planting.

Gladiolus 'Hugo' acts like a small firework display in the garden: plant it where you want to draw the eye. Position its little "rockets" in groups of 5 to 10 bulbs amidst a lush border of cosmos, China Aster 'Princess' mix and Love-in-a-mist. For a more chic style, mix it with roses, purples and violets: Dwarf Dahlia 'Melody Harmony' and a sage like 'Mystic Spires Blue' will soften its somewhat stiff habit. You can also reserve it for a 'cut flower arrangement' corner in the vegetable garden, in tight rows next to sunflowers and French marigolds: simply cut the spikes as they mature, and the garden is transformed into a veritable little flower factory.

The Gladiolus genus takes its name from the Latin gladius, meaning sword; in the Netherlands, gladioli are even presented to walkers who complete the "Four Days Marches of Nijmegen", extending their ancient symbolism of strength and victory.