Gladiolus 'Volcano'

Gladiolus 'Volcano'

A small-flowered gladiolus that lives up to its name, with vibrant fuchsia-pink blooms that fade to white at the throat and carry purple-blue markings on the lower petals. It's a bolder, more complex flower than most dwarf gladies, and the strong, slender spikes give good vertical colour through a border or a container. Up to around seven blooms open per spike, from the base upwards, above narrow, deep-green sword-shaped leaves.

Flowering in summer, 'Volcano' reaches around 45-60cm, which suits the front or middle of a border and holds itself upright without staking. As a small-flowered ('nanus') gladi it's hardier than the tall florist types, so in milder gardens the corms can be left in the ground, while in colder or wetter spots they're best lifted or given a winter mulch. Easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained spot, and a striking cut flower.

• Summer flowering
• Fuchsia-pink florets, white throat, purple-blue markings
• Short, strong stems, no staking needed
• Hardier than the tall glads, but protect from hard frost
• Great cut flower
• Height: around 45-60cm