In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about planting your own gladiolus in Canada. We will cover topics such as the meaning of the flower, its history, how to grow it, and more! With this information in hand you can confidently plant your own gladiolus and enjoy its beauty for years to come.
About Gladioulus
A member of the Iridaceae family, Gladiolus is typically referred to as “glads”. Available in various colors and sizes with huge spikes with a range of colors. The size of their flowers vary greatly – with some blooms being less than 3 inches across, while others can even exceed 5 inches in diameter! Popular varieties include…
Grandiflora Hybrids – The classic type of gladioli that create lots of big (5- to 6-inch) blooms in various hues. The flower stalks they produce can reach up to 4 feet tall and they can endure cold temperatures in Zone 7.
Dwarf Grandiflora Hybrids – If you’re looking for something to plant in your containers or cutting gardens, these cute little glads are ideal. They have flowers that are half the size of Grandifloras, so you don’t need to worry about staking their short stalks. These plants can withstand the colder temperatures of Zone 7 during the winter months.
Nanus Hybrids – Tough and hardy, suitable for Zone 5. They are similar to Grandifloras in appearance yet produce fewer blooms. Growing no taller than two feet, they make an ideal choice for containers or any small area.
History
Although it is believed that the Gladiolus flower originated in South Africa, some varieties can be traced back to Europe and the Mediterranean. Currently, these flowers are widespread globally. Generally referred to as ‘sword lilies’ because of their sharp and sword-like leaves. It’s also worth noting that the name “gladiolus” comes from Latin gladius, meaning ‘sword.’ Initially, people used some species of flowers for medicinal purposes. But, it is now known that parts of the flowers are toxic and can cause allergies or skin irritation when touched.
Symbolism
Gladiolus is a genus of perennial flowering plants that come in a range of vibrant colours. Every colour of gladiolus has a unique symbolism associated with it. With its beautiful blooms, gladiolus is an excellent choice for expressing emotions with flowers.
Red Gladioulus – Gifted for Valentine’s Day or wedding anniversaries as a symbol of passion, romance and love.
White gladiolus – Are a perfect way to convey clear feelings of clarity and serenity. For times like weddings, funerals or religious events, they make for an ideal present that represent purity and spirituality.
Yellow/Orange – Are known to bring good luck, joy and symbolize positive relationships & friendships.
Purple gladiolus – Symbolize grace, class, and beauty. They’re often presented as gifts during special occasions such as a new job or when someone moves to a new home.
Pink gladiolus – Representative of femininity, gentleness, and love. They are frequently offered as a gift on Mother’s Day date nights, or birthdays.
How To Grow Gladiolus
Taller plants like Gladiolus may need to be staked and are usually placed at the back of a garden to provide contrast against their shorter counterparts. This arrangement can bring out the best qualities of both types of plants and help create a stunning display.
Sun – For beautiful flowers, glads should be planted in an area where they receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil – Gladioli do best in well-drained soil that’s moderately fertile. They will not do well in heavy, soggy soil. Mix compost (humus) into your soil to improve its consistency and fertility.
Space – Plant gladioli up to 12-18 inches deep and allow 1 inch of space between each plant for root development.
Pests – Gladiolus corm rot, also known as Fusarium wilt, is an issue that can cause significant damage to gladioli. Other problems may include gray mold, viruses, aster yellows, spider mites, thrips and aphids. In order to prevent the spread of these issues and keep your plants healthy and thriving it is important to be aware of the signs of each one and how to treat them.
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As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers – hoping that those blessed with snow showers can also enjoy the same luck! Even though the weather may not seem like it’s warming up, let’s focus on the actions we can take now so that when it does eventually get warmer, we’re ready to seize all the sunny days. If you want to achieve more with your May garden, we’ve got the solution for you! We’ve put together a handy list of activities that should keep you busy and bring out the best in your May garden!
Plants
Once the spring-flowering heather has finished blooming, it should be lightly pruned for an optimal result.
Make it a habit to routinely keep a lookout on your space for pests. Taking care of the pest-related problems at an early stage is much more effective in controlling them.
After flowering, deadhead spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths to preserve their energy for next year.
It is essential to maintain your vegetable garden consistently to ensure the soil is loose and oxygen circulation reaches the roots. This helps keep your plants healthy and vigorous.
Before you start planting, ensure that the weather has sufficiently heated up and remains this way before planting celosia, impatients, zinnias, fuchsias or heliotrope.
Following a proper fertilizing regime can help to prevent issues such as black spots and powdery mildew from affecting roses. This is critical for ensuring the health and longevity of these plants.
Winter is the ideal season to prune fruit trees and shrubs, but if you missed the opportunity, now is still a great time to get it done. Make sure you take care of your trees before new growth starts appearing.
Pond, Lawn & Birds
Begin providing food for your fish once the temperature has exceeded 5-8 degrees. Additionally, it’s crucial to only give them an amount that can be consumed in a span of five minutes.
May is the perfect time to lay down new lawns, as the weather conditions are ideal for successful sowing.
Give your lawn the best start by using seed and sod starters. These will provide the foundation needed to get a lush, green lawn quickly and easily.
In order to promote healthy growth and blooms, start to fertilize water lilies and lotuses regularly.
As soon as the weather gets warmer, make sure to fill birdbaths. Filling birdbaths is an easy and inexpensive way to bring nature into your home, making it an ideal solution for everyone who enjoys watching wildlife.
Miscellaneous & More!
Make sure to check out the wide selection of flowering plants available. Grab your favourite blooms and don’t forget the fertilizer; it is essential for feeding them every 10 days if you want a beautiful summer full of bright blooms.
As the temperatures increase, it is important to watch out for rapid growth and spread of weeds. Be vigilant in keeping this in check.
Frequently mix your compost and check if it’s finished. If it is, you can apply it to your garden right away.
Mulching is a great way to conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay during the summer months. All you need is grass clippings, bark, pine needles, straw etc. to mulch your garden or flower beds. Plus, it’s an easy and cost-effective solution!
It is recommended to shear the spring-flowering heather lightly once it has completed flowering.
Take the time this Spring to review your garden tools and decide which ones you should keep and which should be replaced. If they are in good condition, it may be a good idea to sharpen them as well. Doing this now will ensure they will last through another gardening season.
It’s important to take a look at your patio and see if any maintenance is required. Inspect the condition of the area and if necessary, take action to ensure it is in its best condition.
Looking for more to do? Check out this episode of Get Up and Grow with our president, Gord Nickel to learn how to grow your own Kiwi’s below!
Lilies are one of the most beautiful flowers to plant in your garden. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they can add a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. If you’re looking for lilies to plant now, there are five varieties that stand out above the rest. From the Summer Sunset to the Black Beauty, these flowers are sure to brighten up your garden this season. Read on to learn more about each type and how you can grow your very own at home. Plus, follow along as our President Gord teaches Hannah from Check News all about them!
Enhancing any outdoor setting, the Calla Summer Sun is sure to bring sunshine and light to your garden with its bright yellow petals and small yellow centers. Its vivid hue will fill any area with vibrance!
These flowers thrive when placed in a location with full to partial sun exposure and soil that is kept moist but drained. Additionally, they make an excellent cut flower and are resistant to pests like deer and rabits.
For an abundance of beautiful flowers at the peak of summer. Plant Summer Sun from early to late spring so that they can bloom through the start to finish of summer.
Big Smile Oriental Lily offers an eye-catching and unique color combination! Instead of the traditional pink or white petals, it has striking apple-red midribs and a refreshing yellow/green pistil. This popping contrast against the pale white base truly stands out. It grows 40″ tall and with 16-18cm size bulb circumference.
For successful bulb planting, it is important to pick a location with good drainage. Otherwise, the bulbs may be prone to rotting or deterioration. Plus, most bulbs are best planted in full sun and get optimal results if they receive 5-6 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Planting the roots of perennials, annuals or ground cover next to each other may offer some cooling in hot months. Likewise, a 2-inch layer of mulch is also useful in protecting against the sun’s heat.
‘Black Beauty’ is a magnificent hybrid lily, which was created through the cross-pollination of L. henryi and L. speciosum. Its raspberry flowers are richly-scented with reflexed tepals that have a thin white edge and anthers with little green centers.
The Black Beauty Lily is an oriental flower that produces up to 50 blooms when mature, stretching up to 4-7 feet tall on strong stems.
Not only does this flower grow well in pots, but the cut flowers make gorgeous arrangements with smaller blooms. Perfect for adding stunning beauty to any display! Blooming in mid-summer, it’s the perfect pick for a vibrant bouquet or centerpiece!
Sunny Azores, while being smaller in size than the traditional Oriental Lily, still have a spectacular bloom and sweet-smelling aroma. Don’t be fooled by their compact size – small flowers can make a big impact with their beautiful fragrances. Plant them in groups to create an aromatic oasis in any garden, or cut a few to bring indoors and enjoy the smell!
Planting Oriental Lily Bulbs should be done promptly, preferably in the Spring but you can get them in the ground up until Autumn. To ensure your plants thrive, locate them somewhere that has plenty of sunshine or partial shade and has soil which drains easily.
With magnificent maroon color, complemented by sparkling orange accents along the petal edges and core. Forever Susan are typically planted early to late spring and can be expected to bloom early to late summer. For optimal growing, the plants prefer a spot with full to partial sunlight and soil that is well-drained.
If you’re looking for something that can add a vibrant touch to your garden and make stunning bouquets, then this is the right option for you. Its numerous blossoms make it perfect for adorning flowerbeds & borders while also being suitable for creating wonderful arrangements.
Chek it out
With over forty years of experience planting Lilies, our President Gord Nickel is here to share a few tips and tricks for planting your best Lilies yet. Tune in below to get started.
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Visit the Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre, the authorized dealer for Bullfrog Spas in Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Langford, Colwood, Sooke, Duncan, Nanaimo, and Vancouver. Our expert staff will help you choose the perfect hot tub for your home, and we offer a range of financing options to make it easy for you to own a Bullfrog Spa.
Where Can I Find Garden Furniture?
At Wildwood Outdoor Living, we offer a wide selection of garden furniture to complete your outdoor living space. From patio sets to outdoor lounges and fire pits, we have everything you need to create a beautiful and functional outdoor oasis.
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Miniature roses may feature smaller blooms, yet the wide variety of colours they come in is quite impressive. These petite beauties are a great way to add personality and colour to your garden. Not only are they beautiful, but they can also withstand even harsher winter conditions better than some other roses. Garden roses are some of the most popular flowers you can plant in your garden.
About Miniature Roses
Miniature roses have been around since the 17th century and were mostly developed from China roses native to Asia. However, they still hold many of the same properties, and need to be planted in spring for optimal growth. There is an extensive range of miniature rose varieties that can reach between a foot to three feet in size. Just like other roses, these miniatures come in different colours, fragrances and are perennial plants. Popular varieties include Trailers, Climbers and Micr-mini.
Blooms
Miniature roses, much like their larger counterparts, bloom from mid-spring through early fall. Some can even bloom year round when provided with the optimal living conditions – but not usually in Canada. Regular maintenance of your plants can help them to keep blooming for longer. Deadheading the faded blooms, before they form into hips, can be a great way to promote the plant’s growth and prevent it from going into dormancy, which is indicated by seed production.
Pests
Unfortunately, miniature roses are subject to the same problems as larger roses, including black spot, a fungal disease. Powdery mildew can also be an issue. To avoid both of these inflictions, improve the air circulation around your roses by planting each bush a few feet apart and watering the plant from the base of the roots instead of overhead.
Tip: It is essential to get rid of any diseased debris as soon as possible to avoid further infection. Be watchful for pests or insect damage such as Japanese beetles, thrips, mites or chafers; and take prompt action if there are signs of any kind of infection by using an insecticide.
Miniature Rose Care Instructions
These tiny blooms can be grown in containers, flower beds, or even as a border along a walkway. With their hardy, disease-resistant nature and easy maintenance requirements, miniature roses are perfect for beginners or experienced gardeners alike. Whether you’re looking to create an enchanting miniature rose garden or simply add some stunning color to your outdoor space, these petite blooms will surely get the job done. To grow miniature roses at home, follow the care instructions below and be sure to plant in zone 5-11.
Full Sun
Miniature rose plants require full sun to thrive, although they can tolerate some shade. However, if kept in shady surroundings for too long, their foliage and flowers may become sparse. If you want your bush to bloom at its fullest potential and ensure maximum disease resistance, make sure it gets at least six to eight hours of sun each day.
Soil
Roses thrive in nutrient-rich, well-drained and loamy soil. A great option for these blooms is to have them in patio containers. If you’re doing this, don’t use garden soil for your pot of roses since it won’t have the same effect. When it comes to container gardening, potting soil is the ideal choice as it is light and has all the nutrients needed for successful growth. Garden soil can be too dense and restrict water flow, potentially depriving the root system of air which can cause root rot. Potting soil drains well, so there are minimal chances of this happening.
Water
As a thumb rule, roses need to be watered at least one inch in a week; either daily, alternate days or simply twice every week. While watering your plants, it is important to ensure they are watered deeply. This encourages the root system to expand and become stronger. Additionally, when you water them, aim the hose at the base of each plant rather than spraying the blooms directly. This helps preserve their delicate structure. The extent of water consumption for your rose bush varies depending on the type of soil and the climate conditions.
Tip: Miniature roses need more frequent watering than regular-sized roses when the temperature is scorching outside. This is because their root system is smaller, so they are more vulnerable to dehydration.
Fertilizer
Miniature roses require heavy fertilization for them to bloom throughout the season. You can use any store-bought rose fertilizer or general all-purpose fertilizer, but make sure to follow the instructions written on the label accurately. For optimal plant health, it is important to nourish your roses when their first leaves sprout and after each bloom. It should be noted, however, that feeding should be stopped roughly six to eight weeks prior to the initial frost in order to prevent any fresh growth from being destroyed by the cold.
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