Lift your borders into summer spirits with the help of gorgeous gladioli. They bring a real uplift to a planting scheme with their upright and impressive stems packed with blooms, and they’re available in almost every colour or the rainbow. Plant your gladioli en-masse or dot clusters of bulbs about in mixed borders. Whatever your style, you can find a variety which will work its magic. They’re remarkably easy to grow too, all they need is a sunny spot with well-drained soil. And if you like growing for the vase, you are in for a treat. Glads last very well as cut flowers and won’t need any special treatment to do so, even if you pick them just as the first buds start showing colour.

Hybrid Gladiolus varieties are usually half hardy and will grow best if planted directly outside in mid-late spring. Alternatively, they can be started off in a sheltered place in early spring to plant out later in the season. This type is best in its first year and may need replacing for future years. Naturalising types like Gladiolus byzantinus and similar cultivars are more hardy and, when they’re happy in the growing conditions, will usually return every year, the can also gradually multiply. This type can be planted directly outside in autumn or spring, depending on when they are sent to you. Gladiolus bulbs should always be planted in the same season as supplied, while fresh and viable. Bulbs shouldn’t be stored from spring to autumn or vice versa.

How to plant

• Plant directly into borders are large patio containers in a full sun position and in a free-draining soil. If planting in containers you can use multipurpose compost.
  
• When planting into borders, add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to the soil. If you have poorly drained soil, the added mulch will help you to build up your beds for better drainage.
  
• Plant the bulbs 10-15cm deep, with the pointed side facing upwards. Space the bulbs around 10cm apart from each other if planting in groups.
  
• Water-in after planting and continue to water regularly when in growth through summer. There is no need to water regularly before they start to grow.

Aftercare

• It’s not always necessary to stake the flowers as most will stay upright without any assistance, but in windy locations this can prevent them toppling over.
  
• Deadhead the flower spikes as they fade cutting the stems back to just above the foliage. The foliage can then be left to die back naturally, which helps to feed the bulb and give it the best chance of flowering for a second year. Foliage can be cut back to ground level in autumn.
  
• The bulbs of hybrid gladiolus varieties should ideally be lifted in autumn and stored dry in cool but frost-free conditions over winter.
  
• Hardy Gladiolus byzantinus can be left in the soil over the winter, providing the soil is free draining and won’t become waterlogged/boggy.