
Straight up
“Just before we start harvesting the first gladioli – I always think that’s a beautiful moment,” says gladioli grower Theo Theunissen. “The whole field is standing straight up; vertical spikes that are just starting to show colour, from the front rank to the back.”
Great outdoors
Theo Theunissen enjoys working ‘amidst the gladioli’ every day: “It’s great work. You’re in the great outdoors. When the crop is doing well, I feel that we’ve got really lucky.”
In steps
“In the spring we plant a few beds with gladioli corms every ten days. When the last bed is planted, the first bed’s already in bloom,” explains flower grower Robert van der Hulst. “In the field you can see all the stages of growth rising in steps next to one another. It’s an amazing sight.”
Seven days per week
“When the gladioli emerge from the soil, I know that we can start harvesting in a few weeks. Then we go through them seven days a week. You can’t skip a day with white gladioli. They grow too fast for that,” explains summer flower grower Robert van der Hulst.
Gladiolus: pure power
From creamy white to deep purple and from lime green to flame red – the colour palette offered by gladioli is remarkably versatile.
The gladiolus is truly impressive to behold. The flowers can be up to one and a half metres in length. Their elongated shape and the wide variety of colours make gladioli the perfect choice for large-scale flower arrangements, be they for businesses, parties or festivals. The gladiolus is also a real eye-catcher in summer bouquets. Why not try filling a large vase with gladioli in one shade or even in a colourful mix? This definitely brings out the best of this truly powerful flower
Symbol of pride
The gladiolus is a bulbous plant. In Latin, its name means ‘little sword’ reflecting the sword-shaped foliage. Also known as the sword lily, the gladiolus is a symbol of power, triumph and pride. This symbolism dates back to Roman times, when the winner of a gladiatorial battle would be covered with gladioli. The Gladiolus is a symbol of pride and enchanting beauty. Whether it is used in volume or quite simply , it always radiates a feeling of friendship and sympathy. Its enchanting body symbolises pride, in fact the whole flower exudes charm and is guaranteed to brighten any environment.
Did you know …
The Gladiolus has been a symbol of strength and victory since Roman times. That makes it the ideal flower for rewarding (sporting) achievements.
Gladioli grow best in fresh soil (in which gladioli have not previously been grown). So you will never see gladioli growing in the same field for years on end.
Gladioli: a lasting pleasure
Gladioli are undemanding flowers. All they need is a clean vase and clean water. Cut-flower food for bulbous flowers will keep the water clean for longer and will ensure that the flowers open properly. Gladioli will tolerate being out of water for a short time and their stems will then dry out a little at the tips. If this is the case, cut off 3 to 5 cm from the stems using a sharp pair of secateurs or a sharp knife. Remove any excess foliage that might be below the water level and make sure your customers do the same when they get them home. That way they can enjoy their gladioli for even longer.
Gladioli are widely available from the end of May to the end of October.