All flowers
Abyssinian Gladiolus Wikimedia Commons
Iridaceae

Abyssinian Gladiolus

Gladiolus murielae

Strength and integrity.

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Gladiolus
Native to
Ethiopia, East Africa
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Type
bulb
Height
2-3 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, fertile loam
Water
moderate
Hardiness
7-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Named after Abyssinia, the historical name for Ethiopia where it was first discovered.
  • Its fragrant white flowers with maroon-purple centers attract hawkmoths for nighttime pollination.
  • Previously classified as Acidanthera bicolor, it was reclassified into the Gladiolus genus in the 1990s.
  • Queen Victoria's gardeners grew it at Kew Gardens after seeds arrived from East Africa in the 1890s.
  • Unlike most gladioli, it produces a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance, making it prized for evening gardens.

Color meanings

0

strength of character

1

remembrance

2

faithfulness

Uses

  • cut flowers
  • ornamental garden borders
  • fragrant garden plantings