Utility of Gladioli

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23767, 21 September 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

Utility of Gladioli

Q.LADTOLT will take no harm if planting is delayed for a while in order that things which have really started to grow can be attended to first. Where it is intended to group gladioli in spaces between dwarfer perennials, the overhaul of the border may proceed and the positions for the gladioli be marked with sticks. Stored corms of these need to be overhauled to see that damp or disease has not injured them. Herein lies an excellent method of economising space and at the same time producing some very pleasing effects. Gladioli grow tall, , but they are very straight and nonspreading and will stand out boldly between plants of dwarfer growth, but of bushy or spreading habit. Therefore, one may distribute their corms among comparatively small spaces which are bound to be left between these dwarfer plants, thus getting the additional charm of a goodly show of their flowers without having to give up a separate piece of ground to accommodate them. Gladioli can be planted sparsely between border carnations and also between geums. This association is agreeable to both, the gladioli making a show when the carnations and geums Have eased up their display of bloom.