Gladiolus Bibi - Sword Lily

Gladiolus Bibi is a rare, original and charming hybrid gladiolus with adorable small flowers randomly striated with dark red-pink, on thin and short flowering stems. It often blooms from June and has a long flowering period as it renews itself on secondary flowering stems. The tubergenii gladioli are too seldom planted in our gardens: they can stay in the ground during winter in many regions, are splendid in perennial beds or with old roses and perfect for bouquets.

Cultivated gladioli are hybrids and belong to the Iridaceae family. They are divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large-flowered), Primulinus (early) and Nanus (butterflies). 'Bibi' is part of the "tubergenii," which are classified as Nanus. They are small, complex hybrids that tend to flower in spring. This variety, introduced in 1954, tolerates both heat and cold. In 2013, a virus-free clone with more speckled flowers and less susceptible to fusarium was selected and this is the form now offered to gardeners.

Gladiolus Bibi is a perennial herbaceous plant with a reserve organ. It stands out for its modest size and its cold resistance (to -12°C (10.4°F) under protective mulch), which allows it to overwinter in well-drained soil with protective mulch. The leaves are wide, sword-shaped and arranged in a fan forming a clump about 35 cm (14in) tall. The leaves are topped by one or several slender spikes, about 60-65 cm (24-26in) tall, bearing several funnel-shaped, 3 cm (1in) wide flowers. They are composed of 6 soft pink tepals variegated with cherry red, with the two lower sepals showing an intense cherry red spot at the throat. The reserve organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem with scales. The vegetation dries up a few weeks after flowering, marking the gladiolus's entry into dormancy.

While gladioli and their long colourful stems are often associated with the 70s and somewhat formal flower arrangements, the "tubergenii" have a more natural appearance and blend beautifully with other plants in the garden. They are just as easy to grow as most tulips in moderately cold climates and create stunning splashes of colour in beds and borders. For a romantic atmosphere, plant 'Bibi' alongside old roses, delphiniums, perennial geraniums, or perennial salvias to play with a range of colours, and add some grasses like Stipa to your bed. Gladioli are regulars in cottage gardens, where they are grown with vegetables. For bouquets, cut the flowering stems when the first floret begins to open. Plant them at intervals of two weeks from early spring until the end of June to have flowers in the house and garden all summer long.

 
Gladiolus gets its name from the shape of its sword-like leaves, derived from the Latin gladius. Its wild forms were often represented in jewellery or on carpets and fabrics made by the Semites before the Christian era.