If GLEE was a flower…

Gladiolus , straight and tall , at a Gladiolus society show hosted by the Western Massachusetts Gladiolus Society . The hapless , poor corpus sternum . Under - appreciated , and more potential to be associated with funeral sprays and pencil eraser - ring into boring take - away bundles at the super market , than the show bench , the lowly glad is sad . But wait … .. it ’s not too late to exchange ones association with the Gladiolus….instead of church alter , think mass planting in perennial border . or else funeral spray , suppose orchids on a reefer . Instead of thought of mesh bags at Home Depot t , think stately 5 human foot marvelous spike of mythical color . Do n’t be mad , be happy !

Here is my queer observation : Glads are one of those plants that for whatever grounds , men grow more than women . Probably because in the 1940 ’s , the Gladiolus was sold in feed and grain and hardware fund , where corms could be purchased in the spring , when one grease one’s palms their ejaculate potatoes or onion plant sets . These were not ladies plants , and thus , were ostracise to the rear of the Asparagus bed or behind tomato plant life , as if mankind were embarrassed to develop such lovely and yet , frivolous flowers . So if you think ho hum , when someone advert the Glad , think again . If the Dahlia can have a comeback political party , peradventure it ’s also time for the show Glad to have it ’s coming out party . If show choir ’s cna make a riposte , so too can the Glad .

Hardly unsure , the Gladiolus is pure impressive . Like so many plant which were pop in the 1940 ’s and 1950 ’s , the Gladiola have fallen out of fashion . But a young multiplication is discovering these pushed away South African beauties who have suffered a bad atomic number 59 beating .

I ’m sure the reasons are many , for like most plant societies , membership is dropping , and fresh members are few and far between . Most Gladiolus society members are over 70 yr sure-enough , if not in their 80 ’s . get through a peak in the place war period when in the late 1940 ’s and 1950 ’s it seemed that everyone grow at least one row of Glads in the back of the vegetable garden , today , the idea of cut blossom gardens is becoming pop , but the glad is overlooked for many reason , but mostly I think because of it ’s connexion with cheap , florist flowers . After all , who wants to grow Football mama , Carnations , or white glads?Judges try a table of Gladiolus at the Western Massachusetts Gladilus Society show at the Eastfield Mall , in Springfield , MA .

If you settle to raise some gladiolus , go for the best , and arrange some new varieties from a specialist breeder . Why not seem for the same salmagundi multitude grow for exhibition , for these are the absolute best . Amazing coloration , unbelievable ruffling , massive shank and peak , these are scarcely your grandpa ’s glads .

Really though , there is n’t much subtlety in the globe of Glads , check out some of these names from a catalogue : Fire Engine , Astroman , Dynamite , Exclamation , Easy Rider , Imperial Master , Mr. Lincoln , Royal Spice , Starfighter , Spitfire , Smokin , Storm Clouds , Torch , and Violence . ( All from the 2010 catalogue of Pleasant Valley Glads ) .

Next year , try ordering some exhibition Glads ( not the single you find in your typical bulb catalogs or at the local baby’s room . Go for the extraordinary . Check out the Gladiolus Society site , and link for more info . gladiola are well-to-do to grow , relatively care free , they just need draw of water supply and quick summers , and they are relatively inexpensive . The really good one may cost you a yoke of dollars each , but then today , so does a good loving cup of coffee . spare the corm every fall in your root cellar , and before long , if you buy a few each year , you will have a aggregation . strain ordering some to grow and then accede them in a local Gladiolus society show ( check on line for one in your sphere ) or well yet , regulate a couple XII and plant them in a large clump in your perennial bed , they make amazing exclamation point when uprise nut - masse , and cars will stop to require you what are you growing that can give you such color in August .

Some color combinations were very flashy .

concerned in learn more about the Gladiolus ? Lookherefor a chapter near you . Most clubs will have both show in the fall , and light bulb sales or auction in the spring . Some have societal dinners , and meetings throughout the wintertime .