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
'Blue Tropic'
sword lily
Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' brings a whisper of the tropics to the summer garden with its soft lavender-violet blooms and elegant stature. Each tall, graceful spike is lined with large, gently ruffled flowers in soothing shades of purple and lilac, evoking the calm of a warm twilight sky. Their subtle glow and refined form create an effortlessly exotic feel, making Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' a favourite for gardeners seeking both colour and composure in their borders. Few flowers combine delicacy and drama quite so beautifully.
Perfect for cutting, Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' lends a touch of tropical elegance to summer arrangements, where its serene tones pair wonderfully with creamy whites and soft pinks. Plant the Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' corms in full sun and well-drained soil, and enjoy a long display from midsummer into early autumn. With its distinctive sword-shaped foliage and softly shimmering blooms, this sword lily brings a cool, tranquil sophistication to the garden—proof that even the tropics can be subtle.
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 'Blue Tropic'
- Flower colour
- Soft purple, lavender, violet
- 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
Good for cutting
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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