While commercial gladiolus breeding intentionally selects plants that will not be winter-hardy, we can thank our lucky stars that this was not the case in some of the early gladiolus hybrids. Additionally, many wild South African gladiolus species make superb drought-tolerant garden plants...perhaps not showy enough for a funeral spray, but nevertheless, great garden plants. I expect many of the gladiolus we sell will be much more winter-hardy than our Hardiness Zone ratings indicate.
Read More
Hardy gladiolus produce spikes of hummingbird-attracting flowers in a wide array of colors. Gladiolus love sunny spots in the garden, well drained soil and can tolerate dry weather. When happy, your hardy gladiolus will spread to form a nice colony of flowering plants. For a succession of bloom combine hardy gladiolus with peony, iris, agastache, and agapanthus. When you are ready to buy hardy gladiolus for your sunny perennial garden, check out our list of hardy gladiolus for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Gladiolus 'Carolina Primrose' was discovered at an old abandoned NC residence, a tribute to its amazing durability. For us, this extremely hardy form (or hybrid) of Gladiolus dalenii var. primulinus makes a fast-multiplying clump that produces 3' tall flower spikes from mid-June through mid-July in NC...attractive to hummingbirds. The floral spikes are laden with soft butter yellow flowers darkening toward the throat, where you will also find small reddish-brown stripes...that's stripe throat, not strep. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: G. byzantinus) We are pleased to finally offer the old-fashioned Gulf Coast pass-along gladiolus...thanks to Texas plantsman, Greg Grant. The 2' tall spikes of intensely tacky, fluorescent cerise-red flowers top the late-January emerging foliage from late April through early May...attractive to hummingbirds. G. 'Cruentus' could be classified as a spring ephemeral since the entire clump is dormant by early summer...be sure to mark the spot when planting summer groundcovers. We tried to find a matching RHS color code with no luck...obviously royal taste doesn't allow this color in the old UK. As you can imagine, its drought-tolerance and ease of culture are legendary! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Gladiolus coll #A12NC-018B) We found this abandoned gladiolus on a roadside bank near the town of Bolivia in Brunswick Co., NC. The corm multiplication rate and subsequent flowering potential is unrivaled. Our clumps of Gladiolus 'Bolivian Peach' are topped with 40" flower spikes in early July...a hummingbird favorite. The lower petals are soft yellow, blending perfectly with the soft peach color of the top petals. Many Gladiolus dalenii forms have proven to be hardy into Zone 6 for those who don't mind experimenting. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing Gladiolus dalenii hybrid was introduced to the market by the former Holbrook Nursery in NC after it was discovered in the frigid mountain town of Boone, NC by extension agent, Jeff Owen. The 4' tall stalks open in early June (NC) with medium-sized flowers of peachy-apricot, highlighted by a yellow center and red streaked throat...attractive to hummingbirds. Although we list this as Zone 6, we have heard many reports of Zone 5 hardiness. Gladiolus 'Boone' multiplies obscenely fast, so you'll have plenty to share. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From South African seed, we selected this amazing form of the durable and easy-to-grow Gladiolus dalenii var. dalenii. Gladiolus 'Halloweenie' produces 5' tall branched flower spikes of intense scarlet orange flowers, each with a bright yellow throat. The flowering show doesn't start here until Halloween...slightly earlier in warmer climates. This is a truly tacky plant for a tacky holiday...get one today! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We initially offered this as we acquired it...as a form of Gladiolus communis var. byzantinus. It never seemed quite right to us, and in 2010, it was confirmed that it was instead Gladiolus italicus...a similar, but different species. Everything we said about the plant is the same...only its name changed...sort of like all those farm workers after the 1986 amnesty. This is a demure dwarf 18" tall rock garden plant, not to be confused with the large tacky (we're not saying tacky is bad) florist glads. For us, Gladiolus 'Texas Snowflurry' flowers in mid-April through early May, then goes dormant for the summer...attractive to hummingbirds. The corms for Gladiolus 'Texas Snowflurry' never get large, so don't freak out when you see their size...they are ready to flower. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The year was 2004, the highway, Interstate 40, the exit, Old Fort, NC. Though it isn't advertised, old Ford vans can go from 60 mph to 0 in just a few seconds as I can attest when I saw this long-abandoned gladiolus growing by the guardrail just outside Asheville, NC. Upon closer inspection, it was not the Gladiolus dalenii often found in southern gardens, but an old garden hybrid...a very winter-hardy hybrid. Back in our trial gardens, Gladiolus 'Old Fort' produces stunning 7' tall sturdy flower spikes, starting in late June and continuing into July, often with repeat flowering...a hummingbird favorite. This glad probably had a name in a former life, but after being stranded on the highway for years, its memory ain't what it used to be. If you recognize it, please let us know. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
When I first saw this in the UK at Cotswold Garden, it was not in flower, but I was intrigued at the thought of a hardy purple glad, so I bought one on faith...and Mastercard. I was rewarded the next spring with a superb gladiolus that produced 4' tall spikes, laden with rich, dark purple flowers, starting in early June...a hummingbird magnet. We've now got enough that we grow it both in the garden, with plenty left for arrangements, and to share with you. This vigorous grower is simply superb! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Gladiolus 'Atom' is an old mid-1940s hardy Gladiolus dalenii hybrid that forms 3' tall stalks, topped in early summer (mid-June through July in NC) with small, but brilliant red flowers, each outlined with a white picotee stripe...simply delightful and a far cry from the giant florist's glads. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing gladiolus was discovered in an abandoned homestead by NC plantsman Arley Dugger. It is certainly possible that this had a cultivar name at one time, but we have been unable to track it down. For us, Gladiolus 'Robeson Red' is one of the earliest of the Gladiolus dalenii hybrids to flower, starting for us in late May, and often reflowering sporadically through July. The 4' tall sturdy stalks are laden with medium-sized scarlet red flowers...outstanding! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
