Gladioli Species

Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus, is a H5 hardy perennial. Originally from the Mediterranean this elegant sub-species is long-established in the UK having been first named and classified by Miller in 1768. It is most common in southern counties of England where it spreads readily. Being apparently immune to viruses and highly resistant to disease it is an ideal garden plant. It differs from most other gladioli in that its corms are first planted in the Autumn, rather than in early Spring, and it flowers earlier from May to July.