waterfall gladiolus

Also known as: cardinal red sword lily; corn-flag; New Year lily; superb gladiolus

A cormous perennial to 70cm tall with upright, sword-shaped leaves and arching stems bearing a spike of up to twelve flowers in late spring and early summer. Each flower is up to 8cm long and bright red with white markings on the lower three petals

Scientific classification

Species: waterfall gladiolus (Gladiolus cardinalis)
Genus: Gladiolus
Family: Iridaceae

Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]
Toxicity: Bulbs
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 0.1-0.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Columnar upright
Habit: Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

waterfall gladiolus pictures

Distribution of waterfall gladiolus

Distribution map

Southern Africa (Cape)

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]

Quick identification of waterfall gladiolus

Information to be completed

waterfall gladiolus care guide

Keep soil damp during foliage growth, cut water back at dormancy
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep soil damp during foliage growth, cut water back at dormancy

Fertilizing

Diluted bulb nutrient mix every two weeks before flower buds open

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by separating cormlets when dormant

Growing

Grow in a well-drained soil, or pots of free-draining compost, in a sunny, sheltered position; best lifted and allowed to dry off in late summer after flowering. Repot in autumn and place in a cool but frost-free greenhouse; plant out after all risk of frost has passed

More growing and care information →

Common pests and diseases

Diseases

May be susceptible to gladiolus corm rot, grey moulds (Botrytis), Fusarium bulb rot, gladiolus core rot, gladiolus dry rot, gladiolus scab and neck rot, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases