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.
'Amber Mistique'
sword lily
Conjure up a spellbinding summer show with the help of Gladiolus 'Amber Mistique'. Like frilly flower wands, the tall, upright stems appear in summer, embellished with radiant cream-coloured flowers. In the centre of each bloom is a starry blackcurrant blotch which gives this beautiful variety its magical spark. This bright beauty will sit sweetly among the hotchpotch charm of a cottage-garden border, but Gladiolus 'Amber Mistique' behaves well in more formal styles too!
Gladiolus make sensational cut flowers—their stems are long, sturdy and the flower spikes are always hugely impressive. Plant plenty so you have enough to snip a few stems to bring indoors. Despite its flamboyant looks, Gladiolus 'Amber Mistique' is easy to grow and low maintenance. It requires free-draining soil and a sunny position, all you need to do is plant the bulbs in spring and look forward to what follows in summer! From relaxed gardens to neatly-planned urban patios, this elegant variety works equally well. Plant Gladiolus 'Amber Mistique' in groups or dot them around in swathes to introduce height and vertical structure to your planting scheme.
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 'Amber Mistique'
- Flower colour
- White, cream, purple, blackcurrant
- Corm size
- 12/14
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- 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
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.