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Baby Gladioli Blushing Bride

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Baby Gladioli ‘Blushing Bride’ (Gladiolus nanus) is the perfect addition to any garden, offering a charming display that’s as elegant as a bride on her special day. This compact variety blooms in late spring to early summer, with soft pink and white flowers, subtly kissed with blush markings that open from the bottom up in a graceful cascading effect. The blooms are smaller in size compared to traditional gladiolus, making them ideal for smaller gardens or those looking to fill tight spaces where larger gladiolus might not fit. With slender, sword-shaped foliage and a graceful height, ‘Blushing Bride’ thrives in cottage gardens, rockeries, borders, and containers, and works beautifully alongside other perennials. Known for their light fragrance, these flowers also make exceptionally great cut flowers, bringing beauty and fragrance indoors. Thriving in cool to subtropical climates, it’s a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance flower that adds beauty to compact spaces. Its heat tolerance, pollinator appeal, and smaller size make it a delightful option for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Description

Baby Gladioli
Baby Gladioli ‘Blushing Bride’ (Gladiolus nanus), also known as Species or Cottage Gladioli, are compact flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Native to South Africa, these bulbous perennials produce delicate flowers in soft shades of pink and white with subtle markings. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for smaller spaces like cottage gardens, pots, or borders. Their heat tolerance and low-maintenance nature make them an excellent choice for a variety of garden settings.

Uses
Baby Gladioli are ideal for adding colour to cottage gardens, rockeries, garden beds, or as borders. Their compact size makes them perfect for pots and planters, allowing you to brighten up tight spaces. With their smaller flower spikes, they are also an excellent choice for cut flowers, creating beautiful indoor displays. Additionally, they attract beneficial insects like bees, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.

Climate Suitability
Baby Gladioli thrive in cool to subtropical climates and are frost-tender, with temperatures below 5°C potentially causing damage. They grow well in areas that offer a combination of warm, sunny conditions during the growing season and mild winters. For those who experience regular, yearly frost, plant in early spring once the threat of frost has passed and lift them once they enter dormancy to avoid potential damage from freezing temperatures. For those who experience sporadic frost, they can be left in the ground since the frost is usually brief and not long enough to cause harm.

How to Plant
Plant bulbs in full sun, spacing them 15 cm apart, and burying them 8–10 cm deep with the flat side down and the growing tips facing upwards. They prefer well-drained, slightly sandy soil and do not tolerate clay. Plant them in autumn for the best results in milder climates. For areas with frost-prone winters, early spring planting is recommended once the frost has passed.

Soil & Fertiliser
Baby Gladioli grow best in well-drained, slightly sandy soil. Prior to planting, work in a small amount of complete granular fertiliser to enrich the soil. During the growing period:

  • Top-dress with a complete fertiliser in autumn (as they go dormant) and in spring (as they begin to grow).

Water

  • Water Baby Gladioli well during their flowering period to support healthy blooms.
  • Once they go dormant, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out.
  • In exceptionally hot climates, ensure the bulbs do not desiccate completely. Even though they should remain dry during dormancy, water lightly and sporadically, especially after prolonged, intense hot days.
  • To store the bulbs, lift them, dry in a cool, ventilated area, and keep in a breathable container in a cool, dry place until replanting.
  • Be sure to plant them at the deepest recommended depth (8–10 cm) to help retain moisture and protect them from drying out. Finding the right balance of moisture is key to avoiding both desiccation and rot.

Mulch

  • Apply mulch to help retain moisture, keep soil temperatures stable, and suppress weeds during the growing season.
  • In winter, avoid over-mulching to ensure the soil can drain well and prevent waterlogging.

After Care

  • Allow the foliage to wither completely before cutting it back after the flowering period.
  • If growing in pots or in wet, frost-prone climates, consider lifting the bulbs to store them during dormancy.
  • Baby Gladioli can remain undisturbed for several years, but if overcrowding occurs, divide them once the leaves have turned yellow.

Pests and Diseases
Baby Gladioli are relatively low-maintenance and typically don’t suffer from many pests. However, keep an eye out for aphids and thrips as the weather warms up. If brown spots or streaking appear on the leaves, treat with a general garden fungicide. Regular monitoring will ensure healthy growth.

Safety
Baby Gladioli are toxic if eaten, so keep them out of reach of pets and children. Wear gloves when handling the bulbs, as they may cause skin irritation. If ingested, seek medical help.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Gladiolus nanus

Quantity in Pack

5 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

30-60 cm

Planting Depth

8-10 cm

Soil

Baby Gladioli grow best in well-drained, slightly sandy soil and do not tolerate clay. They prefer soil that is not too heavy and ensures good drainage. Prior to planting, work in a small amount of complete granular fertiliser to enrich the soil.

How to Plant

Choose a location with full sun (at least six hours of daylight). They thrive in well-drained, slightly sandy soil that does not retain excess moisture, as Baby Gladioli do not tolerate clay. Space the bulbs about 15 cm apart for garden planting, and in pots, they can be planted slightly closer together, ensuring there is still space between them for proper growth, about 10 cm apart. Bury the bulbs 8–10 cm deep, with the flat side down and the growing tips facing upwards. After planting, cover the bulbs with soil, water them in well to settle the soil, and apply a light layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

For potted plants, use a container with good drainage and fill it with a well-draining potting mix. Ensure the pot is at least 15 cm deep to give the roots space to grow. Place the pot in a sunny location and follow the same watering and mulching instructions.

Watering

Baby Gladioli need regular watering during their growing and flowering period to support healthy blooms. Water deeply to ensure the soil is moistened at root level, but avoid waterlogging. Once the foliage starts to die back after flowering, usually in summer, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent rot. In pots, ensure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. In exceptionally hot climates, water lightly and sporadically during dormancy to prevent the bulbs from desiccating, but avoid keeping the soil soggy. Regular watering during their active growing period, combined with good drainage, will help your Baby Gladioli thrive and bloom beautifully.

Fertilise

Baby Gladioli benefit from a balanced feeding schedule to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Before planting, work in a small amount of complete granular fertiliser to enrich the soil. During the growing season, top-dress with a complete fertiliser in autumn as the plants go dormant and again in spring when they begin to grow. Avoid over-fertilising, as this can lead to lush foliage growth at the expense of blooms. A well-balanced fertilising routine will ensure your Baby Gladioli thrive and produce beautiful flowers year after year.

Pruning

Once the flowering period is over and the foliage starts to die back, allow the leaves to wither completely before cutting them back. This helps the bulbs store energy for the next growing season.

In most climates, Baby Gladioli can be left in the ground or pots and will naturally go dormant after flowering. However, in regular frost-prone areas, Baby Gladioli should be lifted once the foliage dies back to protect the bulbs from freezing temperatures. After lifting, store them in a cool, dry place until it's time to replant.

For areas with occasional frost, Baby Gladioli grown in pots can be moved to a glasshouse or sheltered location to prevent frost damage during dormancy.

In humid climates or places without a cold winter, Baby Gladioli can be treated as annuals. Simply remove the bulbs after the flowers have finished blooming, as there's no need to wait for the foliage to die back or store the bulbs.

If the bulbs become overcrowded or you notice a decline in blooms, it's time to divide them. This is best done when the foliage has turned yellow and the bulbs are in dormancy. Gently lift the bulbs, separate them, and replant in fresh soil or store them until they are ready to be planted the following season.

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