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
'Whistling Jack'
Byzantine gladiolus
With its brilliant magenta pink flowers and wonderfully natural character, Gladiolus 'Whistling Jack' brings a glorious splash of colour to the late-spring garden. Unlike the familiar, large-flowered gladioli of summer, this beautiful botanical variety produces slender, upright spikes adorned with elegant, funnel-shaped blooms in rich shades of purple-pink and crimson-magenta. Each flower opens to reveal a delicately marked throat, while the softly overlapping petals give the blooms a graceful, almost wild appearance. The vibrant colouring is especially striking against the narrow, sword-shaped green leaves, creating a display that feels both lively and effortlessly natural. Gladiolus 'Whistling Jack' is particularly beautiful when planted in generous drifts among ornamental grasses, early-flowering perennials and other naturalising bulbs, where its vivid flowers can dance freely in the spring breeze.
Originally from the Mediterranean, Gladiolus 'Whistling Jack' has become a familiar sight in parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where it grows naturally in meadows, hedgerows and grassy banks. Reaching approximately 80–100cm tall, this remarkably hardy perennial is quite different from its more tender summer-flowering relatives. Plant the corms in a sunny position with well-drained soil, where they can establish themselves and gradually form generous clumps over the years. Flowering from May into early summer, Gladiolus 'Whistling Jack' is particularly effective in informal borders, gravel gardens and naturalistic planting schemes. Once established, the corms can multiply and return with increasing abundance, creating a wonderfully colourful display with very little attention. With its fascinating history and unmistakable magenta flowers, Gladiolus 'Whistling Jack' brings a touch of Cornish countryside charm to gardens far beyond the coast.
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 communis subsp. byzantinus 'Whistling Jack'
- Flower colour
- Magenta, pink
- 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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