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
'Red Drizzle'
Colville's gladiolus
A beautiful splash of scarlet brings the summer garden to life with Gladiolus 'Red Drizzle'. This charming, small-flowered Colville's gladiolus produces slender spikes of brilliant ruby-red blooms, each opening into an elegant, almost star-shaped flower with gracefully pointed petals. Unlike many traditional gladioli, its flowers are remarkably uniform in colour, allowing their rich, velvety red tones to take centre stage. An unexpected silvery sheen on the reverse of the petals adds a fascinating detail, particularly as the flowers catch the light and move in the summer breeze. The blooms open successively along upright stems, rising above narrow, sword-shaped green foliage. Gladiolus 'Red Drizzle' looks particularly lovely among white cosmos, violet-blue salvias and airy ornamental grasses, where its vivid colouring provides a wonderfully lively contrast.
Compact yet full of character, Gladiolus 'Red Drizzle' belongs to the elegant Colvillei group, known for its earlier flowering and graceful appearance. Growing to approximately 60–75cm tall, it's an excellent choice for mixed borders, cutting gardens and generous patio containers. Plant the corms in spring, choosing a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. During June and July, Gladiolus 'Red Drizzle' produces its beautiful flower spikes, which are equally attractive in informal summer bouquets. Its relatively sturdy, manageable stems rarely require additional support, making it easy to combine with neighbouring perennials. Although more cold-tolerant than many large-flowered gladioli, winter protection is advisable in colder UK gardens. Planted in small groups, Gladiolus × colvillii 'Red Drizzle' creates a cheerful ribbon of crimson that brings warmth and elegance to early-summer planting schemes.
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 'Red Drizzle'
- Flower colour
- Scarlet, red, crimson
- 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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