Gladiolus grandiflorus Mon Amour - Sword Lily

Gladiolus 'Mon Amour' is a new variety with beautiful and delicate large flowers. The very tall and sturdy stems bear tightly packed and dense spikes at their top. Each flower is a subtle blend of candyfloss pink, yellow, and ivory. The flowering lasts for many weeks. This spectacular variety will look magnificent in beds of large perennials or with old roses for a guaranteed romantic atmosphere.

Cultivated gladioli are hybrids and belong to the Iridaceae family. They are divided into 3 main groups: Grandiflorus (large flowers), Primulinus (early-blooming), and Nanus (butterfly). 'Mon Amour' belongs to the Grandiflorus group. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that stands out with its tall flowering size and for the astonishing and subtle shades of its blooms. The leaves are wide and sword-shaped, arranged in a fan shape. It forms a clump that can reach 150cm (59in) in height. The leaves are topped by a spike-shaped inflorescence with funnel-shaped flowers that are 10cm (4in) long, carried by sturdy stems. They are particularly delightful, with a fresh pink tone mixed with yellow and ivory on the petal edges. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem with scales.

Gladioli and their colourful flower stalks are a symbol of the 1970s and somewhat formal floral arrangements. While they are irreplaceable in bouquets, their silhouette in gardens needs the presence of plants with lush foliage that will enhance their flowers. Plant them in groups in beds with salvias, small grasses, linarias, monardas, wallflowers, and forget-me-nots to create large colourful bouquets. They are regulars in cottage gardens. 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.