Gladiolus nanus Mix

This mix of small-flowered gladioli brings together several dwarf varieties in a range of pastel or vibrant colours that are either solid or two-tone. The colours include white, pinks, reds, and purples. These gladioli produce spikes that are shorter than Dutch hybrids, and their flowering has retained the natural charm of wild plants. They integrate well among other plants in the garden. When planted in the ground, they are more resistant to winters that are not too harsh.

The genus Gladiolus belongs to the Iridaceae family. Cultivated gladioli are hybrids with large flowers, divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (with large flowers), Primulinus (early), and Nanus (butterflies). The gladioli in this mix are characterised by small flowers that are irregularly arranged on stems that do not exceed 60cm (24in) in height. The stems are more resistant to wind.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs) and wide sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan shape. It forms a clump 35 to 45cm (14 to 18in) tall. The leaves are topped by loose spike-shaped inflorescences, 45 to 60cm (18 to 24in) tall. The lily-like flowers are composed of 6 unequal petals, measuring 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. Depending on the plants, these flowers can be pure white, white with small pink or red signals in the throat, fuchsia-pink with a white throat, red, or purple. Carried by very thin stems, the flowers open in groups of 3 or 4 from bottom to top and form beautiful floral spikes. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem with scales. Each corm will produce 1 to 3 floral spikes.

Gladioli and their colourful flower stalks are a symbol of the 1970s and somewhat formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, their silhouette in gardens needs the presence of plants with lush foliage or ethereal blooms to enhance their flowers. Dwarf gladioli fit well in borders of single perennials or low-growing shrubs, most often without requiring staking. They pair well with groundcover roses (The Fairy, Knock Out), small grasses (Stipa pennata or S. tenuifolia), forget-me-nots, penstemons, catmints, and agastaches, for example. Play with the vibrant blue of perennial flax and the soft pink of baby's breath for brightness, and add plants with silver foliage (stachys, artemisias). For bouquets, cut the flower stalks when the first floret starts to open. Plant them at intervals of two weeks from early spring until the end of June to have flowers in the house and garden all summer long.