Plant gladioli corms in containers to grow on under cover in a cool greenhouse or conservatory for the earliest possible displays of showy blooms this summer.
Gladioli
lads are bang on trend right now, with seductive new varieties in shades of deepest purple, magenta pink or pure white to choose from. Growing them in containers is ideal if you have a patio to fill, or if your soil is on the heavy side, as they prefer drier, free-draining conditions.
Choose large, deep pots and fill with a generous layer of multipurpose compost. Place your corms on top, about 7cm apart, and cover with more compost. A layer of gravel to finish off looks neat and keeps weeds out.
Planting containers
Plant potfuls at monthly intervals from now until June for a succession of flowers through till autumn. Keep them in their pots over winter in a sheltered spot and they’ll bounce back again next year. You can also sink pots of gladioli into the borders just as they’re coming into flower for an instant splash of colour. Once you get the gladioli bug you’ll think of dozens of ways to include them in your garden, so come on over to the garden centre in Henley on Thames and choose your summer display today!