Gladiolus Cayenne - Sword Lily

The Gladiolus 'Cayenne' is one of the most beautiful varieties of hybrid gladiolus with red flowers. Its flowers are a deep crimson to intense cherry red and velvety, enhancing all shades of green in the garden. Its sturdy stems bear many flowers in summer, on a tall floral spike, with a real elegance. With its powerful colour, this gladiolus stands on its own. To soften the intensity of its red flowers, surround it with white or green flowers, such as lady's mantle or fennel, for example.

Originally from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, belonging to the Iridaceae family, the most colourful gladiolus species come from South Africa. Cultivated gladiolus are hybrid varieties with large flowers, divided into three main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus (early), and Nanus (butterflies). 'Cayenne' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with corms (globose bulbs), broad sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan shape, forming a clump about 1 metre (3 feet) high, depending on the growing conditions. The leaves are topped by a spike inflorescence, with funnel-shaped flowers arranged unilaterally, almost all on the same side of the sturdy floral stem. Here, they are a rich and vibrant red, with well-fringed petals. Only a small white mark marks the base of some petals.

Gladioli and their long, colourful stems are reminiscent of the 70s and slightly formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, in gardens, their silhouette appreciates the presence of plants with lush foliage to enhance their abundant yet romantically wild flowering. Plant 'Cayenne' corms alongside sage, tobacco, bee balm, and forget-me-nots, for example. They are commonly found in cottage gardens, where they accompany vegetables all the way to the kitchen table. To make bouquets, cut the flower stems when the first floret begins to open. Plant them at intervals of two weeks from early spring until the end of June to bring flowers into the house and garden all summer.

The gladiolus gets its name from the shape of its sword-like leaves, derived from the Latin word,  gladius. Its wild forms were often represented in jewelry or on carpets and fabrics made by the Semitic people before the Christian era.

About botanical gladiolus:

Far from the cultivated blooms, but offering the advantage of living like wild plants, botanical gladiolus are an interesting alternative for gardeners: it is entirely possible to welcome them in the garden, as many of them are native to our temperate climates and yet very elegant

The most common are the Gladiolus byzantinus, with its spring flowering in pink-purple, which naturalises itself. The Gladiolus x colvillei shows flowers of various colours, usually marked with pink or red at the throat. Among the very hardy species that naturalise, we can mention the Gladiolus communis from southern Europe, with pink flowers striped or blotched with white or red. The Gladiolus illyricus, widespread from southern England to the Caucasus, forms superb spikes of magenta-violet flowers streaked with white. The Gladiolus imbricatus bears crimson-violet flowers with a very bright white spot highlighted with purple-carmine.