Description

Gladiolus ‘Purple Flora’ produces tall, dramatic flower spikes in rich violet-purple tones, ideal for adding height to summer borders and cutting gardens. The blooms open progressively up the stem, giving a longer display from each spike. Plant corms in spring once the soil starts to warm, in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. Gladioli look most impressive planted in groups and can also be grown in large pots with free-draining compost. Because plants can reach around 120cm, staking or support is often recommended in windy spots. For an extended flowering season, you can plant in batches every 10–14 days through late spring/early summer. As a living product, growth and flowering times can vary slightly depending on weather and garden conditions.

Other names (commonly known as):
Sword lily • Gladioli • Glads • Corn flag • Large-flowered gladiolus

Key Benefits

• Deep purple blooms for bold summer colour
• Excellent cut flowers (classic florist-style spikes)
• Flowers open up the stem for a longer display
• Great for borders, cutting gardens and large patio pots
• Easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained position
• Corm size 8/10 supplied for consistent planting stock
• Looks best planted in groups/drifts
• Can be planted in batches to extend the flowering season
• Strong vertical accent for mixed borders

Product Details

• Product: Gladiolus ‘Purple Flora’
• Pack size: 10 corms
• Corm size: 8/10
• Flower colour: Purple (velvety violet-purple tones)
• Mature height: Up to approx. 120cm (conditions dependent)
• Best position: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained; improve heavy soil with grit/sand

Pollinator friendly: Gladiolus flowers can attract visiting pollinators such as bees and butterflies during the flowering period (activity depends on local conditions and weather).

Best companions to plant with (for colour + shape + extra keywords):
Pair ‘Purple Flora’ with Dahlias (long season), Crocosmia (hot tones), Liatris spicata (vertical contrast), Salvias and Verbena (pollinator-friendly planting), Alliums (structure), Rudbeckia/Echinacea (late-summer colour), and ornamental grasses for movement. For a purple-themed border, add Nepeta or lavender at the front.

More Reasons to Choose

• Ideal “statement” plant for the back or middle of borders
• Perfect for cut-flower gardeners (pick as lower florets open)
• Works well in cottage, modern and prairie-style planting
• Great for filling gaps between perennials in summer
• Easy to lift and store corms if you prefer overwintering frost-free
• Performs well in pots when drainage is controlled
• Group planting gives a professional, high-impact look
• Stagger planting for a longer flowering window
• Supplied as dormant corms ready for planting
• Clear planting and care steps included below

Growing Information

• Flowering time: Summer (often mid to late summer; can extend into early autumn depending on planting time)
• Height: Up to approx. 120cm
• Position: Full sun (sheltered from strong wind if possible)
• Soil: Well-drained; avoid winter waterlogging

Planting Guide (simple steps)

1. Unpack on arrival and store corms cool, dry and airy until planting.
2. Plant from March onwards (once frost risk reduces and soil warms).
3. Choose full sun and well-drained soil; add grit to heavy clay.
4. Plant corms pointed end up, about 10–15cm deep and 10–15cm apart.
5. Water after planting; keep lightly moist while growing (avoid waterlogging).
6. Stake or support in exposed/windy spots for straighter stems.
7. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally to feed next year’s corm.

Good to know

• The name “gladiolus” comes from Latin for “small sword”, referring to the leaf shape.
• Planting in batches (every 10–14 days) helps extend the flowering season.
• In many UK gardens gladioli are treated as half-hardy: lift and store corms dry and frost-free if your soil is winter-wet or you get hard frosts.
• For the best display, plant in groups rather than single corms spaced far apart.

What You Will Receive

• Gladiolus ‘Purple Flora’ – pack of 10 corms, size 8/10
• Eco-friendly recyclable packaging
• Planting and care instructions included

Thank you for looking.