Gladiolus Elvira - Sword Lily

Gladiolus 'Elvira' is an old variety of dwarf gladiolus that is still difficult to find in horticultural trade. It bears pale-pink flowers that are adorned with small dark pink patterns on the lower petals. They usually bloom in July, along flower spikes that are rather tall for a dwarf gladiolus. This hybrid is quite different from the large Dutch gladioli, which are often considered too heavy and artificial in appearance. This variety integrates well among other plants in the garden. It is more robust and will survive winters that are not too harsh.

Cultivated gladioli are hybrids, belonging to the Iridaceae family. They are divided into 3 major groups: Grandiflorus (large-flowered), Primulinus (early-flowering), and Nanus (butterfly). Gladiolus colvillei is the first known hybrid in cultivation, obtained in England in 1823, by crossing G. cardinalis and G. tristis. It is characterised by rather small flowers, irregularly arranged on 40 to 45cm (16 to 18in) high stems, each bearing up to 10 florets. The lower petal of each star-shaped flower has a darker central area.

'Elvira' is an old cultivar obtained in 1900 in England. It belongs to the 'Nanus' hybrids. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with thin, dark green, sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan shape. It forms a tuft 35 to 45cm (14 to 18in) high. The leaves are topped by loose spike inflorescences, 70cm (28in) high, each bearing up to 6 buds. The 6-petal flowers measure approximately 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. They resemble small lilies with a diaphanous pink colour adorned with a small diamond-shaped pattern in bright and intense pink on the 3 lower petals. Carried by thin stems, the flowers open in groups of 3 or 4 from bottom to top, forming beautiful flower spikes. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem corresponding to a scale-covered bulb. Each corm will produce 2 or 3 flower spikes.

Gladioli and their long colourful flower spikes are undoubtedly emblematic of the 1970s and slightly formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, their silhouette in gardens needs the presence of plants with lush foliage or airy blooms to enhance their flowers. 'Elvira' fits well in beds of simple perennials or low shrubs, often without requiring staking. It pairs well with groundcover roses (The Fairy, Knock Out), small grasses (Stipa pennata or S. tenuifolia), forget-me-nots, penstemons, catmints, and diascia, for example. Play with the vibrant blue of perennial flax and the soft pink of baby's breath for brightness. Add silver foliage here and there (stachys, artemisias). For bouquets, cut the flower stalks when the first floret starts 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 word gladius.