Gladiolus 'Summer Love'

Gladiolus 'Summer Love'

A small-flowered gladiolus in soft pink, each bloom marked with a bright cerise flash at the centre that lifts the softer petals around it. The slender, upright stems reach around 50-70cm and have a more relaxed habit than the tall florist gladies, which suits the front or middle of a border or a pot.

It flowers early for a gladiolus, from late spring into early summer, ahead of most others. Small-flowered ('nanus') gladies are hardier and sturdier than the tall types and rarely need staking, though in colder or wetter areas it's best to lift the corms or give them a winter mulch. Easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained spot, and good for cutting.

• Late spring to early summer flowering (early for a gladi)
• Soft pink florets with a bright cerise centre
• Short, upright stems, rarely need staking
• Hardier than the tall glads, but protect from hard frost
• Great cut flower
• Height: 50-70cm