bulb corm tuber

Abyssinian Gladiolus

Q: What zones can Abyssinian Gladiolus grow in?

Abyssinian Gladiolus is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Q: Is Abyssinian Gladiolus deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Abyssinian Gladiolus, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

Q: When does Abyssinian Gladiolus bloom?

Abyssinian Gladiolus typically blooms in late summer through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Q: Does Abyssinian Gladiolus need full sun?

Abyssinian Gladiolus does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Q: Is Abyssinian Gladiolus drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Abyssinian Gladiolus handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Gladiolus murielae

$18.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Gladiolus murielae is a cormous perennial herb native to East Africa, producing upright, flattened fans of sword-shaped, medium green leaves. In late summer, slender, slightly nodding stems bear star-shaped, white flowers with a distinct dark purple-maroon throat blotch.

The highly fragrant flowers open sequentially from the bottom of the spike upward, releasing a scent that intensifies in the evening. The elegant, linear foliage remains clean and upright throughout the growing season without requiring staking.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides striking vertical structure with its sword-like foliage and elegant, highly fragrant white flowers in late summer.

Excellent as a long-lasting cut flower, with blooms opening sequentially on harvested stems.

The nectar-rich, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and other long-tongued insect pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

36"

Width

15"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

East Africa

Toxicity

Low severity (corms are toxic if ingested)

Bloom period

Late summer – Autumn

In flower about 4 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Dancing Oaks

<1 Gal Pot

In Stock$18.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant corms in spring after all danger of frost has passed, choosing a site in full sun with fertile, exceptionally well-draining soil.
Set the corms four inches deep and four to six inches apart, with the pointed ends facing upward.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil, then maintain consistent moisture throughout the active summer growing season.
In zones colder than 7b, dig up the corms in fall after the first light frost, cut the stems back to two inches, and dry them in a warm place before storing in dry peat moss over winter.

Pro Tip

Leave the foliage intact after flowering until it turns completely yellow in fall; cutting the green leaves early deprives the corm of the energy needed to bloom the following year.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
Lift corms annually in autumn if gardening in USDA Zone 7a or colder to prevent freezing damage.
Apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer once new shoots emerge in spring.

Don't

Do not plant corms in heavy, poorly draining clay soils, which rapidly induces fatal corm rot.
Do not cut back green, actively photosynthesizing leaves after the flowering period ends.
Do not store lifted corms in damp conditions or airtight plastic bags where mold can develop.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Lift Store
Pest Check
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cottage GardensCutting GardensBorders and BedsContainer Planting

Companion Plants

Salvia Dahlia Pennisetum Echinacea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions