Gladiolus varieties

Gladiolus grow from corms and carry funnel-shaped flowers on tall spikes. We sort them into three groups: large-flowered garden hybrids (Grandiflorus), shorter Nanus types and species gladiolus. Use the filters to narrow the list by group, color and height, then open a variety for its full record and where to buy corms.

All gladiolus

50 gladiolus varieties

Adrenalin Ruffled light pink gladiolus with a deeper pink throat. GrandiflorusEarly summerTall
Apricot Bubble Gum Two-tone gladiolus with large apricot and raspberry pink florets. GrandiflorusEarly summerTall
Arcadia Apricot and peach gladiolus with crimped petal edges. GrandiflorusEarly summerTall
Atom Short hardy gladiolus with velvety red petals outlined in silvery white. NanusEarly summerMedium height
Black Sea Gladiolus with velvety maroon flowers dark enough to look nearly black. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Black Star Tall gladiolus with deep wine red flowers shaded black, for borders and cutting. GrandiflorusEarly summerTall
Black Surprise Gladiolus with dark red to near-black maroon florets. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Byzantine Gladiolus Hardy heirloom species gladiolus with purple-red flowers in late spring and early summer. SpeciesLate springMedium height
Cappuccino Mid-height gladiolus in coffee, caramel and cream tones. GrandiflorusEarly summerMedium height
Charming Beauty Hardy miniature gladiolus with bright pink flowers between magenta and hot pink. NanusMidsummerCompact
Circus Color Ruffled gladiolus in purple and creamy yellow. GrandiflorusEarly summerMedium height
Coral Crush Fringed coral-salmon gladiolus with a creamy white center. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Cream Perfection Buttermilk cream gladiolus with crimped petals and a faint peach pink edge. GrandiflorusLate summerMedium height
Espresso Dark burgundy red gladiolus with velvety petals and white stamens. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Fiorentina White gladiolus with a bold raspberry red center and crimped petals. GrandiflorusEarly summerMedium height
Forever Yellow Golden yellow gladiolus with flowers opening in succession on sturdy stems. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Great Queen Elizabeth Ruffled gladiolus in apricot and peach with golden yellow centers. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Green Star Green-flowered gladiolus with heavily ruffled florets on tall stems. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Impressive Hardy miniature gladiolus with pale pink to white flowers marked bright pink. NanusEarly summerCompact
Indian Summer Gladiolus with smoky brown to purple flowers, lilac hints and a cream throat. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Jester Ruffled yellow gladiolus with red splashes on the lower petals. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Magenta Princess Pink gladiolus with a creamy yellow center. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Manhattan Classic bright red gladiolus with extra-large flowers on tall spikes. GrandiflorusLate summerMedium height
Milka Lavender blue gladiolus with crimped, ruffled petals for summer bouquets. GrandiflorusEarly summerMedium height
Mombasa Velvety deep purple gladiolus with ruffled flowers from July to September. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Mon Amour Tricolor gladiolus in soft pink, pale yellow and ivory with crimped edges. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
My Love Large-flowered gladiolus with white petals, a pink blush and raspberry red edging on 3 to 4 foot stems. GrandiflorusEarly summerMedium height
Nori Tall gladiolus with violet-blue blooms and white centers. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Passos Tall plum purple gladiolus with a red-tinged deep purple center. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Peacock Orchid Species gladiolus with nodding white star-shaped flowers and a dark throat in late summer. SpeciesLate summerMedium height
Performer Velvety dark purple gladiolus with broad, open florets. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Peter Pears Heirloom gladiolus with apricot to peachy orange flowers on tall stalks. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Pink Parrot Pink gladiolus with heavily ruffled, carnation-like florets. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Plum Tart Ruffled deep magenta gladiolus on tall spikes. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Princess Margaret Rose Yellow gladiolus edged in red-orange, ten or more florets per stalk. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Purple Flora Tall deep purple gladiolus with 3 to 4 inch florets and dark throat markings. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Robinetta Hardy miniature gladiolus with bright red flowers and small white accents. NanusMidsummerCompact
Soft Innocence Ruffled pastel pink gladiolus with raspberry swirls. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Strong Gold Classic yellow gladiolus with extra-large ruffled florets and a golden throat. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Sugar Babe Ruffled gladiolus in pastel salmon pink, soft apricot and blush. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Sugar Plum Hot pink gladiolus on 3 to 4 foot spikes for late summer. GrandiflorusLate summerMedium height
Traderhorn Tall gladiolus with crimson red flowers and white throats. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Tricolore Gladiolus with orange-red petals and a purple-violet throat. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Velvet Eyes Gladiolus with velvety purple red flowers up to 6 inches across. GrandiflorusEarly summerTall
Violet Heart Heavily ruffled white gladiolus marked with violet. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Vista Gladiolus with white and lavender to deep purple flowers, 3 to 4 inches across. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Vulcano Short hardy gladiolus with deep pink flowers touched with white and violet. NanusEarly summerMedium height
White Prosperity White gladiolus with lightly ruffled 4 inch flowers on tall stalks. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall
Zamora Tricolor gladiolus with ruffled pink petals, a yellow throat and a raspberry red splash. GrandiflorusMidsummerMedium height
Zizanie Gladiolus with large white flowers splashed and streaked with bright red. GrandiflorusMidsummerTall

How to choose

  1. Pick a group for height. NC State Extension gives 1 to 6 feet for the genus; the garden hybrids are the tall end and the Nanus types the short end.

  2. Plan a sequence. Iowa State Extension says gladiolus bloom about 8 to 10 weeks after planting and suggests planting more corms every 2 weeks, up to early July, for flowers from midsummer into early fall.

  3. Check the zones in each record. NC State lists zones 7 to 10; in colder gardens the corms are dug in fall and stored dry at 35 to 41 °F.

Frequently asked questions

When should gladiolus be planted?

Iowa State Extension advises planting the corms after the danger of frost is past, 4 to 6 inches deep in well-drained soil and full sun. In Iowa that is usually early to mid-May.

Do gladiolus come back every year?

Only where winters are mild. NC State Extension lists zones 7 to 10 and says that, depending on the variety, the corms may need to be dug and stored over winter, while hardy varieties only need a good layer of mulch.