Planting gladiolus & over the winter: expert tips

Gladioli 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?

Gladiolus (Gladiolus) or 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 the right care in winter.

Planting gladioli: when is the right time?

For the success of gladiolus cultivation, the right time of planting is crucial. 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 be done from May to June until the ice saints are over.

Planting gladiolus: 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 introducing a little sand into the soil in very clayey and loamy locations.

Planting 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 about 10 to 15 centimeters is recommendedproven.

When planting gladioli, the following points should be observed:

• Planting time in mild regions in autumn or from April
• Plant in harsh regions from May - June
• Full sun and wind-protected location
• Permeable soil
• Planting depth approx. 10 - 15 cm

Winter Gladioli

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?

Gladiolus are not among the hardy plants in Central Europe due to their warm place of origin and - apart from 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: Ideal for protecting 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.
• Coir mat: Outstanding heat storage made of natural fibre. Breathable, weather-resistant and durable.

Jute protective fleece made from 100% jute fibers, approx. 105 x 500 cm€11.03 €11.01Details →- 30%

You can find more tips on caring for gladiolus here. You can read here how you can enjoy your gladioli in the vase for as long as possible.