Common Name: waterfall gladiolus
Type: Bulb
Family: Iridaceae
Native Range: Southern Africa
Zone: 8 to 10
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Red with white patches
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. Does best with plenty of soil moisture in the summer. Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10. Can be grown in containers and overwintered in a cool greenhouse or other frost-free indoor locations in colder climates.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gladiolus cardinalis, commonly called waterfall gladiolus, is a cormous, herbaceous perennial native to moist, rocky cliff-sides and near waterfalls in the southwestern Cape region of South Africa. Mature clumps can reach 2-3' tall and spread to fill a 1-2' area. Will form small colonies from offsets. The sword-shaped, upright leaves can reach 2' long and 1" wide. Bright red blooms with contrasting white patches on the lower petals bloom on 1-2' tall flowering spikes in the summer. Each spike can have 12-20 blooms. Suitable for use as a cut flower.
Genus name comes from the Latin word for a small sword in allusion to the shape of the leaves. The plants are also sometimes called sword-lilies but people generally use the Latin plural gladioli.
The specific epithet cardinalis refers to the bright red blooms.
The common name waterfall gladiolus refers to the moist cliffs and waterfalls where this species grows in the wild.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems of note.
Uses
Moist rock gardens, border fronts, Mediterranean gardens, large containers.