Mention gladioli to me and I instantly conjure up images of Dame Edna Everage and Morrissey from The Smiths…
‘Gladdies’, as she calls them, are Dame Edna’s signature flower.
And I used to remember watching Morrissey on Top of the Pops (ahem…showing my age!) as he danced around the stage with some stems lodged in his trouser back pocket.
Unfortunately, as a cut flower, they haven’t been everyone’s cup of tea over the past few years.
But as all things ‘vintage’ are so popular at the moment, perhaps with its old-fashioned image, it’s time that gladioli came back into fashion?
London florists Rebel Rebel used white gladioli at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show on the Kelways stand. And they also included them in an arrangement at the show in 2011.
As for a few facts about the flower…
Gladioli is the plural form of Gladiolus. And its name is derived from the Latin word ‘gladius’, meaning ‘sword’. Hence why it’s also sometimes referred to as the sword lily.
On its long stems, it bears large funnel-shaped flowers which have petals with ruffled edges.
It’s available in a wide range of colours including white, pink, red, orange, yellow, green and purple.
To encourage the lower buds to open, simply remove the top bud, either by cutting it off or simply pulling it out.
Gladioli are very budget friendly blooms and their peak season is generally June through to October.
A member of the iris family, they look stunning arranged on their own in a tall cylinder vase.
And they’re useful too for pedestal arrangements, when you need height.
Did you know that gladioli are geotropic? The tips of their stems curve upwards in response to gravity.
I bought the white gladioli featured in today’s blog post on Saturday, as I planned to write about them this week.
And I’m so pleased that I did, as they’ve really grown on me…brightening up our kitchen.
How do you feel about gladioli? I’d love to know…simply leave a comment below.
(Images : Rona Wheeldon for Flowerona)
Antonella Corby says
August 15, 2013 at 9:01 amGladioli are good to use especially if clients have budget limitations – have used them a couple of times instead of calla lillies (as too expensive in August). As you mention, I always make sure I buy them in good time so they are open for the big day!
Thanks for a great blog Rona.
Rona says
August 15, 2013 at 2:16 pmThank you very much for your comment Antonella. You’re more than welcome :-).
That’s a great idea to use them as an alternative to calla lilies!
Amanda French-Carbillet says
August 15, 2013 at 9:07 amTo be honest I don’t mind if they are in or out of fashion I like and use them, especially en mass in a solid block of spiky colour. It’s great keeping them close so you can watch each bud unfurl in a frothy delight.
Rona says
August 15, 2013 at 2:18 pmHi Amanda
Thank you so much for your comment. Using gladioli en masse in one colour certainly appears to be popular as another Flowerona reader said the same on Twitter today :-).
Best wishes
Rona
Annette says
August 15, 2013 at 9:20 amI have watched Gladioli come back into fashion during my years in the Floral industry. My parents and grandparents generation thought of them as rather ‘cheap and nasty’ flowers and too common, since they are garden flowers, to be seen in any way exotic. However I think the more unusual colours, such as deep purple and lime green, are very ‘de rigour’ as is using them en masse in one colour. They are extremely good value for money unless like me you order them when out of season, as I once did!
Rona says
August 15, 2013 at 2:21 pmThank you very much for your comment Annette. Isn’t it funny how flowers go in and out of fashion…
I totally agree with you about the more unusual colours and I love the lime green variety!
It seems using gladioli en masse in one colour is definitely the way forward :-).
Elizabeth Cornwell says
August 15, 2013 at 1:56 pmI love the shape of the flowers & the colours that you can get now but too often it’s just peach or red & they are so straight up & down,perhaps Dame Edna can keep them!
Rona says
August 15, 2013 at 2:21 pmThank you very much for your comment Elizabeth.
LORNA says
August 24, 2013 at 12:12 amSince when have certain types of flower been in or out of fashion?
The idea is ridiculous. Flowers are beautiful, natural products of nature.
All have their place. It is PEOPLE who choose certain flowers at certain times of year or for certain occasions.
I love gladioli … just because…
they are tall and elegant.
I also like other flowers, smaller and different. Does that make them less special ?
No of course not.
All flowers are beautiful – to the buyer/beholder for any number of reasons.
I love ALL flowers!
Virginia McGough says
August 27, 2013 at 2:27 pmThanks for your tips about arranging gladioli. I’m a church flower arranger and I find them a very useful flower – great for adding a little drama to an arrangement.
Rona says
September 2, 2013 at 4:48 pmYou are very welcome Virginia :-).