The Types of Gladiolus

Winter-Blooming Gladiolus

• Winter-blooming gladiolus thrive in climates with damp, mild winters. Native to South Africa, these types can withstand some winter frosts, according to Arizona State University. Winter-blooming gladiolus flower in winter and early spring. If you decide winter-blooming types suite your growing environment, there are many to choose from. Try Gladiolus teretifolius -- the delicate bright red flowers add vibrant color to the garden -- or the delicate white and yellow Gladiolus trichonemifolius.

Hybrids

• The 10,000 or so gladiolus hybrids span a wide range of flower color, hardiness, size and time of flowering. Butterfly hybrids produce flowers with multiple colors and ruffling around the edge of the petals. The late-blooming Gladiolus gandavensis is one of the last varieties to bloom at the end of summer. Grandiflora hybrids stand out in size. The 40 or so flowers that bloom on each stalk measure 5 to 6 inches across, making a bold statement in the garden.

Summer-Blooming Gladiolus

• Summer-blooming gladiolus come from inland South Africa and a few species from Europe, according to the University of Arizona. These late-blooming varieties are not commonly found in cultivation, though they have been used to create many of the modern summer-blooming hybrid varieties. Summer-blooming hybrids stand out from other varieties with their height and abundant flowers clustered along the tall flower stalk. Another common characteristic is the ruffled look of each blossom. Cultivars come in an array of colors and multiple-colored flowers.

Nanus Hybrids

• Nanus hybrids come from a combination of winter- and summer-blooming gladiolus varieties. One of the most common varieties found in cultivation, the Nanus hybrid blooms early in the season, producing white, pink, red and salmon colored flowers along the spiked flower heads. This group of hybrids is one of the oldest in cultivation dating back to the mid 1800s. Common names for Nanus hybrids include Baby Gladiolus, Winter-hardy Glads and Butterfly Glads.