Gladiolus are planted in the early spring after the last frost has passed. Gladiolus are best known for their use as a cut flower, but are also equally valued for their beautiful, colorful blooms in the perennial garden. Here's all you need to know to grow these captivating flowers:

1. Shop for gladiolus corms early in the season when availability is best. When shopping for gladiolus corms look for corms that are size 14 or larger. Smaller corms might be less expensive but will yield disappointing flowers. Beware of box stores offering sales on Gladiolus corms - often these sales are corms left over from the prior the year and will most likely bring more frustration than flowers.
   
2. Plant gladiolus in groups of 5 to 10 corms or more for a bouquet effect in the garden.
3. Plant gladiolus in full sun with moist but well-drained soil. Glads will grow best in soil similar to vegetable garden soil.
4. Prior to planting, amend your soil if needed with an organic fertilizer such as Down to Earth All Purpose Fertilizer. Work the fertilizer into the soil prior to planting
5. Plant the corms 3 to 6 inches deep, depending on size of corm. Glads can be planted by digging out a trench and planting corms in either a single or double row, staggered row, or by planting in groups of 9 to 24 in the perennial border. Corms may be spaced only 2 to 3 inches apart in the row or in groups. Rows should be spaced from 20 to 36 inches apart. Water after planting and not again until top growth is at least 3 inches tall.
   
6. Plant a new generation of gladiolus every 10 days to have a supply of blooming glads for cutflowers all summer long!
7. Gladiolus plants need ample water throughout the growing season. Watering should soak the ground thoroughly. Avoid watering during the heat of the day. 
8. Apply organic fertilizer at the rate of 3 to 4 pounds per 100 square feet of bed area when plants are 6 to 8 inches tall, and again when the flower spikes appear.
9. To keep the plants erect, they may be staked, although when planted within perennial borders en masse they are self-supporting.
10. Mulch as needed to help to keep down weeds and to conserve soil moisture. A 3- to 4-inch depth mulch is needed for good weed control.
11. Cut flowers when flower spikes are 1/3 open early in the morning.
12. Gladioli are not hardy below USDA Zone 6 but may often over-winter with a layer of mulch. If you want to store the corms, dig them after the tops die off, but before a hard freeze. Dry outside in a light, airy place. After two to three weeks of drying, remove the old withered corm from the base and discard. Corms should be stored during the winter at a temperature of 35 to 45 ° F in a well-ventilated area.

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