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.
-30%
Gladiolus
'Albus'
baby gladiolus
White flowers have such majesty in the garden, and Gladiolus 'Albus' is a Queen amongst them. Starry, tapered, gleaming flowers of pure white are tinged with yellow-green at the throat. In the centre of the bloom are attractive bluish anthers. Up to 10 lightly-scented blooms are produced on each 30-50cm tall flower spike, and each flower is around 8cm across. Gladiolus 'Albus' is a superb, strong-growing favourite; it was first introduced in 1872, and has stood the test of time.
Gladiolus × colvillii 'Albus' is at its absolute best in early summer, and deserves a prime position in beds, borders or patio containers, where it is best planted in groups of five or more, for real visual impact.
Along with others members of the Gladiolus × colvillii group, these are known as baby gladioli, being more compact, blooming earlier, and featuring a softer, less formal look than the more familiar large-flowered Gladiolus hybrids. Being originally from the Mediterranean region, it is best to lift the Gladiolus 'Albus' corms each autumn and overwinter them in frost-free conditions.
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 × colvillii 'Albus'
- Flower colour
- White
- Corm size
- 9/+
- 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
-
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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