Gladiolus Charm (Sword-Lily)

One of the tallest Hardy Sword-Lilies, Gladiolus ‘Charm’ fully deserves its name with its long-lasting, pinkish-purple blossoms exhibiting a pale white blotch on the lower petals.

One of the tallest Hardy Sword-Lilies, Gladiolus 'Charm' fully deserves its name with its long-lasting, pinkish-purple blossoms exhibiting a pale white blotch on the lower petals. Its eye-catching flowers (up to 7 per stem) grow on loose spikes (2-3 spikes per corm) that are adorned with narrow, deep-green sword-shaped leaves. Since the flowers open from the bottom of the spike up, sword-lilies provide a long-lasting floral display, each flowering spike blooming for up to two weeks. Spectacular on its own, in the garden, or in a vase!

  • Grows up to 20-30 in. tall (50-75 cm). The bigger the corm, the more chance it will produce larger plants and more spectacular flowers.
  • Best flowering occurs in full sun in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant adapts to a wide range of soils except for clay. Provide consistent moisture during the growing season and do not allow the soil to dry out. After flowering, you may reduce watering.
  • Ideal for cutting, sword-lilies deserve a prime spot in beds, and borders and are well suited to containers.
  • Sword-Lilies bloom for 2 weeks or so. To extend their colorful show, you may plant them every two weeks from the last frost date until early summer. It typically takes 10-12 weeks from planting to flowering.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 10

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Gladiolus – Sword Lilies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 3"
– 4"
(7cm
– 10cm)
Spacing 4″ (10cm)
Depth 4"
(10cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden