Nathalie Hardy Gladiolus

(18-24 tall x 4-6 wide) A hardy Gladiolus loved by British and European gardeners, Nathalie Hardy Gladiolus is a hybrid that combines striking good looks with a more versatile size than traditional Glads which cuts down on the chores of summer staking and fall digging. The gorgeous blossoms of Nathalie Hardy Gladiolus are salmon colored, with strong burnt-orange markings on the bottom petals that give them exciting depth. Plant corms six inches deep at a rate of 12 per square foot in well-drained, average soils in full sun. The sword-like foliage will emerge first, creating low vertical accents in the spring garden, followed by tall flowering spikes in summer that open slowly from the bottom up. Well-drained soils are key to keeping these beauties over the winter. For gardeners in zones colder than their range, the corms can be brought inside and stored in slightly dampened sawdust in the winter. Otherwise, cut back the stems, mulch well, and look forward to years of enjoyment as the corms will increase with time. Mulching corms in autumn and ensuring they are sited in well-drained soil will allow this Gladiolus to stretch to the ends of its hardiness limits.