Gladiolus 'Black Surprise'
"Sword lily"
Orders placed until 29 February 2027
You can expect your order in February/March 2027
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2027
You can expect your order in March/April 2027
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2027
You can expect your order within 10 business days
Free tracked delivery
on orders over £50
Tracked delivery £4.99
on orders under £50
All orders are responsibly packed and delivered carbon neutral — Learn more
Delivery to Northern Ireland
Tracked delivery £6.99
on orders under £50
Reviews.io 4.7 (37,303 reviews)
Trustpilot 4.7 (15,963 reviews)
Google 4.8 (9,894 reviews)
Shop app 4.6 (21,213 reviews)
Farmer Gracy helps you to reduce waste by using recyclable and recycled materials for our packaging whenever we are able. Enjoy receiving your bags and boxes of bulbs with a clear conscience and pass the benefits forward by sorting the used packaging materials into your recycling bins. Learn more
In cooperation with Shopify Planet and the Shopify Sustainability Fund, we are proud to be the first plant and flower bulb supplier able to:
— Ship carbon neutral;
— Remove atmospheric carbon;
— Store carbon for 1000+ years;
— Invest in reforestation;
— Invest in soil carbon storage.
How? Every time we ship an order, Shopify Planet automatically calculates our shipping emissions, and ensures high-quality carbon removal to neutralise our shipping footprint. Learn more
Description
Gladiolus 'Black Surprise' is a true showstopper—dark, sultry, and effortlessly sophisticated. From a fan of upright, sword-shaped leaves rise tall, elegant spikes bearing up to ten velvety blooms in shades so deep they border on black, touched with whispers of red-purple. The result is a flower that feels both mysterious and luxurious, lending a touch of theatre to the late-summer border. As the light catches those sumptuous petals, Gladiolus 'Black Surprise' reveals its hidden depths—rich, moody, and impossible to ignore.
Flowering from late summer into autumn, Gladiolus 'Black Surprise' offers a final flourish of drama just as the season begins to soften. Ideal for cutting, each stem makes an unforgettable addition to a vase, where the near-black tones contrast beautifully with paler blooms. Plant the Gladiolus 'Black Surprise' corms in sunny, well-drained soil, and this glamorous performer will reward you with an encore of bold elegance year after year. Perfect for those who prefer their garden with a hint of mystery and a dash of allure.
Key features
-
Good for cutting
-
Loved by pollinators
-
Thrives well in full sun
-
Packed in paper bags
-
Low maintenance
-
May need winter cover
Specs & details
-
Botanical name
Gladiolus 'Black Surprise'
-
Flower colour
Near-black, brown, deep red-purple
-
Corm size
12/14
-
Established height
1-1.2m
-
Established spread
10-20cm
-
Plant spacing
30 corms per m2
-
Leaf colour
Green
-
Habit
Upright
-
Life cycle
Short-lived perennial
-
Hardiness
Half hardy
-
Years to establish
1st year
-
Sunlight
Full sun
-
Position
Sheltered
-
Suitable for
Borders
Coastal gardens
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Cut flower Gardens
Large containers -
Soil acidity
Any
-
Soil moisture
Free draining
-
Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
-
Scented
No
-
Pollinator-friendly
No
-
Mouse resistant
No
-
Rabbit resistant
No
-
Deer resistant
No
-
Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
-
Orders placed until 29 February 2027
You can expect your order in February/March 2027Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2027
You can expect your order in March/April 2027Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2027
You can expect your order within 10 business days
Perfect companions
World class bulbs
We cooperate with the best growers to supply world class bulbs and plants.
We ♥ our planet
We reduce waste by using recyclable packaging whenever we are able.
We've got your back
Excellent customer care: Our service is rated 4.8 out of 5 by our customers.
Spoilt for choice
Biggest ever selection of
flower bulbs and plants online. Lots of exclusive varieties.
Size matters
You can expect top size flower bulbs and bare-root plants. Always.
@farmergracy
Tag @farmergracy to share your garden, plants and experience!
