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
Deluxe
Gladiolus
'Royal Class'
sword lily
Orange is making a massive comeback and the unusual tangerine colouring of Gladiolus 'Royal Class' really taps into that trend with all its might. Growing tall and strong on impressive, upright pokers, these gorgeous orange sword lilies are high impact with a vertical accent which contrasts beautifully with neighbouring plants. It mixes easily into a hot, exotic colour scheme (think cannas, dahlias, hedychiums and colocasias), though to really show off your design credentials, a border which is heavy on purples and oranges creates such a buzz!
If you’re going to make a planting scheme pop by including Gladiolus 'Royal Class' for planting partners think along the lines of a sea of Nepeta 'Junior Walker', Salvia 'Amethyst', Geranium 'Rozanne', and Verbena bonariensis, with a smattering of Lilium 'Tiger Babies' and Crocosmia 'Sunset' erupting like flames—it’ll be truly sensational. When it comes to planting gladiolus, little and often is best. Make successional plantings (i.e. plant a proportion every couple of weeks throughout April and May), your gladiolus flowering period will be extended significantly. Plant your Gladiolus 'Royal Class' corms at approximately three times their depth, and choose a sunny, well-draining spot.
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 'Royal Class'
- Flower colour
- Orange, tangerine
- Corm size
- 12/14
- Established height
- 1-1.2m
- 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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