Gladiolus imbricatus seeds – (Turkish Marsh Gladiolus)

Description

This is probably the most hardy of all gladioli and is native to South eastern Europe and Turkey. It has been claimed to survive to minus 40 degrees c. It is also one of the rarest of all gladioli.

It grows in wet meadows and marshes and flowers in summer. It has a dense spike of 4 to 12 large rich coloured flowers, usually in shades of deep purple to carmine, attractively marked on the lower petals. Its lowest leaf is round or blunt, not sharp which is a distinguishing characteristic.
This is certainly the best and most valuable of the Mediterranean species.

Sowing advice:
Sow at any time, in trays or pots
Cover seeds with compost or grit 5mm deep. Keep at 18-22ºC for 2-4 wks, then move to -4 to +4ºC (fridge door) for 4-6 wks, then move to 5-12ºC for germination