Gladiolus is a genus of perennial cormous flowering plants in the iris family. Do gladiolus grow in shade? Learn when to plant, how to care for glads, and how to store corms over winter with this easy growing guide. Grow stunning gladiolus flowers at home! The spectacular giant flower spikes in commerce are the products of centuries of hybridisation and selection. The flowers of unmodified wild species vary from very small to perhaps 40 mm across, and inflorescences bearing anything from one to several flowers. What is a gladiolus lily? The plants produce trumpet-shaped flowers that open from bottom to top on a sword-like stem, adding drama to the landscape and bouquets alike. Gladiolus flowers are easy and economical to grow yourself, offer spectacular summer flowers great for cutting, and come in a large array of colors. Although toxic to humans and animals, gladiolus presents dramatic vertical floral displays that make them excellent for cut flowers or focal points in gardens. Gardening expert madison moulton explains why you need these plants in your garden and how to take care of them. · gladiolus is a summertime favorite, with tall spikes of flowers that come in almost every color except true blue. What color do gladiolus flowers bloom? · gladiolus thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they should be planted every two weeks in spring for continuous blooms. · with massive flower spikes and bright, cheerful flowers, it’s hard not to love the stunning gladiolus. Learn how to plant glads in your garden and care for them throughout the season. Also called sword lilies , gladioli are easy to grow and available with plain, ruffled or frilly blooms. · gladiolus flowers bloom in red, pink, yellow, purple, green, orange, and white. What is a gladiolus plant?