GLADIOLUS, a numerous group (genus) of showy plants belonging to the iris family (Iridaceae). They are herbaceous plants growing from a solid fibrous-coated corm, with long narrow plaited leaves and a terminal one-sided spike of generally bright coloured irregular flowers. The segments of the limb of the peri anth are very unequal, the perianth tube is curved, funnel-shaped and widening upwards, the segments equalling or exceeding the tube in length. There are about 1 so known species, a large num ber of which are South African, but the genus extends into tropical Africa, forming a characteristic feature of the mountain vegeta tion, and as far north as central Europe and western Asia. One species G. illyricus, though very rare, is found wild in England, in the New Forest and the Isle of Wight. Some of the species have long been cultivated in flower-gardens, where both the intro duced species and the modern varieties bred from them are very ornamental and popular.
The modern varieties of gladioli have almost completely driven the natural species out of gardens, except in botanical collections_ The most gorgeous groups—in addition to the gandavensis type— are those known under the names of Lemoinei, Childsi, nanceianus and brenchleyensis. The last-named, owing to the brilliant scarlet colour of the flowers, was always a great favourite for planting in beds. The flowers of the best varieties of the Childsi type are of great size and substance, often measuring 7 to 9in. across, while the range of colour is marvellous, with shades of grey, purple, scar let, salmon, crimson, rose, white, pink, yellow, etc., often beauti fully mottled and blotched in the throat. The plants are vigorous in growth, often reaching a height of 4 to 5 feet.
A deep and rather stiff sandy loam is the best soil for the gladi olus, and this should be trenched up in October and enriched with well-decomposed manure, consisting partly of cow dung, the manure being disposed altogether below the corms, a layer at the bottom of the upper trench, say 9in. from the surface, and another layer at double that depth. The corms should be planted in suc cession at intervals of two or three weeks through the months of March, April and May; about 3 to 5in. deep and at least 'ft. apart.
The gladiolus is easily raised from seeds, which should be sown in March or April in pots of rich soil placed in slight heat, the pots being kept near the glass after they begin to grow, and the plants being gradually hardened to permit their being placed out of-doors in a sheltered spot for the summer. The time occupied from the sowing of the seed until the plant attains its full strength is from three to four years. The approved sorts are multiplied by secondary corms or offsets or "spawn," which form around the principal corm; but in this they vary greatly, some kinds furnish ing abundant increase, while others persistently refuse to yield off sets. The stately habit and rich glowing colours of the modern gladioli render them exceedingly valuable as decorative plants dur ing the late summer months. They are, moreover, very desirable and useful flowers for room decoration, for while the blossoms themselves last fresh for some days if cut either early in the morn ing or late in the evening, the undeveloped buds open in succes sion, if the stalks are kept in water, so that a cut spike will go on blooming for some time.