Plant half-hardy hybrid gladiolus corms directly outside in mid to late spring, or start them under cover earlier. Hardy naturalising types, including Gladiolus byzantinus, can be planted in autumn or spring. Always plant corms during the season in which they arrive.
Out of season
New
Gladiolus
'Addi'
dwarf gladiolus
Scarlet red with a flash of golden yellow, Gladiolus 'Addi' brings a wonderfully spirited character to the summer garden. This charming, small-flowered gladiolus produces elegant spikes of vivid crimson blooms, each with beautifully shaped petals and delicate yellow markings that sweep across the lower petals like tiny brushstrokes. The flowers have a graceful, open form, quite different from the tightly packed blooms of traditional large-flowered gladioli. Measuring approximately 6cm across, they appear in succession along slender stems, creating a lively display above narrow, sword-shaped green leaves. Gladiolus 'Addi' looks particularly lovely among airy ornamental grasses, white cosmos and softly flowering perennials, where its vibrant colouring provides a delightful contrast without overwhelming its neighbours.
Compact, colourful and surprisingly versatile, Gladiolus 'Addi' is a wonderful choice for gardeners who enjoy the elegance of gladioli on a more manageable scale. Typically reaching around 50–60cm tall, it fits beautifully into mixed borders, cutting gardens and generous patio containers. Plant the corms in spring, choosing a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. From early summer onwards, Gladiolus 'Addi' produces its striking flower spikes, which can also be cut for cheerful, informal arrangements. Its relatively short stature means that staking is rarely necessary, while its smaller flowers have a lovely natural quality. In colder parts of the UK, protect the corms from severe frost and prolonged winter wet. Whether planted in generous drifts or tucked between neighbouring perennials, Gladiolus × colvillei 'Addi' brings a refreshing combination of vivid colour and effortless grace.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Grow gladioli in full sun, in a sheltered border or large patio container. They need free-draining conditions, so improve heavy soil with organic matter and grit or plant into a raised bed. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost.
Position each corm with its pointed side facing upwards, around 10–15cm deep. Space them approximately 10cm apart when planting in groups. A generous cluster creates a fuller display and allows the flower spikes to offer one another some support.
Water thoroughly after planting, then allow the soil to become nearly dry between waterings while the corms remain dormant. Once shoots appear, water regularly throughout active growth, particularly during warm, dry weather and when growing gladioli in containers.
Most gladioli remain upright without help, although staking is useful in exposed or windy positions. Remove faded flower spikes just above the foliage, then leave the leaves to die back naturally. They can be cut down to ground level in autumn.
Lift half-hardy hybrid gladiolus corms in autumn and store them somewhere cool, dry and frost free. These varieties often give their strongest display in their first year. Hardy naturalising gladioli can remain outdoors where the soil drains freely and does not become waterlogged.
- Botanical name
- Gladiolus × colvillei 'Addi'
- Flower colour
- Scarlet, red
- Corm size
- 10/+
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- Established spread
- 10-20cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 30 corms per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Borders
Coastal gardens
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Cut flower Gardens
Large containers - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Good for cutting
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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