Planting and overwintering gladioli: expert tips

Gladiolus are a real eye-catcher in every garden. But when and how is the best time to plant them and are gladioli hardy at all?

gladioli (Gladiolus) or also called sword flowers, originally come from Africa and the Mediterranean region and are most easily grown in the garden with bulbs. Due to their high sensitivity to cold, however, some tips for overwintering the gladiolus must be observed in this country so that the planting is successful. We give tips and tricks from planting to proper care in winter.

Plant gladioli: when is the right time?

For the success of gladioli cultivation, the right planting time is primarily decisive. The basic rule is: In very mild regions, gladioli can be planted in the ground as early as autumn and remain there during the winter until they sprout in spring. In Germany, however, the onset at this time is associated with a high risk because frosts in winter cannot be ruled out. It is therefore better to always play it safe and plant the gladiolus bulbs from April at the earliest. In very harsh areas, planting should only start from May to June, until the ice saints are over.

Plant gladioli: the right location

Due to their exotic origin, gladioli place special demands on their location in the garden, which you should definitely take into account. Ideally place the bulbs in full sun and sheltered from the wind when planting. The soil should not be too loamy, otherwise there is a risk of waterlogging, which can cause the onion to rot. It is therefore worth adding a little sand to the soil in very clayey and loamy locations.

Plant gladioli: the optimal planting depth

First of all, it is important that the thicker side of the onion is placed downwards so that new roots can form quickly. The tip of the gladiolus bulbs should only protrude slightly from the ground when planting. A planting depth of around 10 to 15 centimeters has proven itself.

When planting gladioli, the following points should be considered:

• Time for planting in mild regions in autumn or from April
• Plant in harsh regions from May - June
• Full sun and sheltered from the wind
• permeable soil
• planting depth approx. 10-15cm

Gladioli overwinter

In Germany, caring for gladioli also includes overwintering the perennials properly. So that you can look forward to a rich bloom again next year, you should follow a few tips.

Are gladioli hardy?

Due to their warm place of origin, gladioli are not among the hardy plants in Central Europe and - with the exception of a few species - they do not tolerate the cold. Especially hardy gladioli must be protected from the cold with straw and brushwood.

These products protect your plants from frost:

• Thermal garden fleece: Optimal to protect your plants from cold and frost in winter. Can be cut individually.
• Jute sack/blanket: Reliable protection against cold and frost made from 100% jute. Decorative natural fabric with a long service life.
• coconut mat: Excellent thermal retention made of natural fiber. Breathable, weather-resistant and durable.

Plant gladioli and dig them up again

The only way to successfully overwinter most gladioli species and varieties is to dig up the bulbs in autumn. In autumn, cut off the withered leaves of the gladiolus above the bulb and carefully dig it up. First, remove the soil from the bulb and wrap it in paper for a few days to dry. The storage location for the winter should always be dry and frost-free, but not too warm. If the temperatures are too high, the gladiolus may sprout prematurely while spring is still a long way off.

More tips about Care of the gladiolus you'll find here. How to contact her Gladiolus also in the vase can enjoy for as long as possible, you can read here.