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.
This newly-introduced dwarf gladiolus is rather special. It is one of the nanus types, meaning that its flowers are smaller and daintier than the large-flowered hybrids. Gladiolus 'Vulcano' produces blooms in a vibrant shade of fuchsia-pink, fading to white towards the centre, and with purplish blue blotches on the lower petals. Producing an abundance of blooms on each stem, Gladiolus nanus 'Vulcano' is a must-have choice for the summer garden. It is wonderful for adding vertical spikes of colour through the border, and looks particularly good when planted amongst shorter contrasting hardy perennial plants, or in containers.
Dwarf Gladiolus 'Vulcano' is also great for cutting, making very unique and beautiful cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Its sturdy 45cm tall spikes hold the flowers well.
Gladiolus nanus 'Vulcano' is also a hardy form of Gladiolus, so unless you have a very cold and exposed garden, you should be able to leave plants in the ground over winter. With proper care, you will enjoy months of colour from July through September.
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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 'Vulcano' (N)
- Flower colour
- Pink, fuchsia
- 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
Gladiolus 'Vulcano' reviews
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