Gladiolus Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' (Tub)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' presents as an eye-catching and elegant plant known for its striking floral spikes. Its flowers bloom in a captivating pink hue that exudes a soft and gentle appeal. Each bloom is characterized by a ruffled edge that adds to its delicate charm. The petals may have subtle white accents that further enhance their allure. These flowers are arranged in a classic sword-like pattern along the tall spikes, giving the plant a vertical and stately presence. The blooms typically face one direction, creating an impressive display of color and form. The foliage of Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' is equally graceful, with long, slender leaves that have a sharp, sword-like shape, mirroring the form of the floral spikes. The leaves are a bright green color, providing a striking contrast to the soft pink blooms and contributing to the plant's overall aesthetic. Overall, the plant's appearance is marked by a combination of these elegant flowers and lush green foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add a touch of sophistication to their outdoor spaces.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Sword Lily, Gladiola
- Common names
  Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Gladiolus, including the 'Charming Beauty' variety, is not extensively reported to be toxic to humans. However, as with any plant material, if ingested in large quantities, it may cause digestive discomfort such as nausea or diarrhea. It is always advisable to handle plants with care to avoid any potential allergic reactions and to keep them out of reach of children who might ingest them.
- To pets
  Gladiolus is considered to be mildly toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. If a pet ingests parts of this plant, they could experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea. It contains substances that can be irritating to the digestive tract. If you suspect your pet has ingested Gladiolus, it is important to contact your veterinarian for guidance on appropriate care.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Visual Appeal: The Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' adds a splash of color to gardens with its striking pink flowers and tall, elegant stems.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is known for being relatively easy to cultivate, perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms are ideal for cut flower arrangements, brightening up indoor spaces.
- Attracts Pollinators: It attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of plants.
- Seasonal Interest: With a blooming period in mid to late summer, it provides interest when many other plants have finished flowering.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' can be quite tolerant to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Thrives in Different Soils: It can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions.
- Variety: They come in a range of colors and patterns, allowing for diverse garden designs and color schemes.
- Border Planting: Due to its vertical growth habit, it is an excellent choice for adding height to garden borders.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Crafting Natural Dyes: The petals of Gladiolus can be boiled to extract natural dyes for fabric, offering a range of colors from soft pinks to vibrant reds, depending on the part of the plant used.
- Floating Decorations: Individual Gladiolus petals can float on water, creating a decorative feature in garden ponds or in shallow indoor water bowls for events and home decor.
- Bookmarks: Dried Gladiolus petals or small, pressed flowers can be laminated or enclosed in paper to create delicate and personalized bookmarks.
- Floral Baths: Petals of the Gladiolus, known for their beauty and softness, can be added to bathwater for a luxurious and visually appealing spa-like experience.
- Gladiolus Spikes for Training Climbing Plants: The strong and upright stalks of Gladiolus, once devoid of flowers, can be used as natural stakes in the garden for supporting climbing plants or vines.
- Art Supplies: The various colored petals can be used to create natural pigments for paints, allowing artists to explore unique hues and textures in their work.
- Plant-Based Inks: Similar to dyes, the colorful Gladiolus petals can be processed to make plant-based inks for writing or calligraphy.
- Garden Mulch: After the flowering season, Gladiolus plant material can be composted and used as mulch to nourish and protect other plants in the garden.
- Edible Garnish: While the primary use is not culinary, the vibrant petals of the Gladiolus can be used as an edible garnish to add a splash of color to salads and desserts (provided no pesticides have been used).
- Fragrance Sachets: The subtle scent of the Gladiolus flowers can be captured by drying the petals and placing them in small sachets as a natural air freshener for drawers or closets.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Gladiolus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Gladiolus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength of Character: The gladiolus is known to symbolize strength of character due to its tall and sturdy stalks, representing integrity and persistence.
- Remembrance: This flower often serves as a symbol of remembrance, expressing the wish to never forget someone important.
- Infatuation: With its striking appearance, the gladiolus can also represent infatuation, indicating fascination or being struck by someone's beauty or charm.
- Integrity: The gladiolus is associated with moral integrity, showcasing the flower's representation of honesty and ethical principles.
- Victory: The flower symbolizes victory in various cultures, making it a common gift for winners or those who have overcome adversity or difficulties.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Sword lilies should be watered moderately, ensuring that the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. Typically, watering once a week with about one to two gallons of water should suffice. Increase the frequency to twice a week during particularly hot or dry periods. It's important to water deeply so that the moisture reaches the bulbs. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plants.
Light
Sword lilies thrive in full sunlight with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light each day. The best spot for them is in a well-lit garden area that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. Partial shade is acceptable, but too much shade can result in weak stems and reduced flowering.
Temperature
Sword lilies prefer a temperate climate and can survive in temperatures ranging from 35 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for their growth is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be protected from frost, which can damage the foliage and flowers.
Pruning
Pruning sword lilies involves removing spent flowers and yellowing leaves to encourage new growth. Deadheading, or cutting off the flower spikes after blooming, should be done once the flowers fade. Pruning is typically done in the late summer or early fall after the plants have finished blooming.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A mixture of loam, sand, and some peat or compost is ideal, with a pH between 6.0 to 6.5. Ensuring good drainage is key to prevent bulb rot.
Repotting
Gladioli are not typically grown as potted plants, so repotting is not applicable. However, the corms should be lifted and stored dry during winter in colder climates and replanted after the frost in spring.
Humidity & Misting
Gladiolius 'Charming Beauty' does not have specific humidity requirements, but average ambient humidity should be sufficient. They thrive in outdoor conditions where humidity is not artificially controlled.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and stake stems for support.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and stake tall varieties as needed.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty' begins its life cycle when a corm, which is an underground storage organ, is planted in well-drained soil after the last frost in spring. The plant emerges as shoots and develops long, sword-like leaves, followed by a tall flowering spike that produces funnel-shaped flowers, often in a gradient of pink hues. After blooming, which typically occurs in summer, the flowers fade, and the plant directs energy back into the corm to replenish its energy reserves. In autumn, the foliage dies back, and the corm enters a period of dormancy through the winter. In regions with freezing temperatures, the corms are often dug up and stored in a cool, dry place to protect them from frost. The following spring, the cycle begins anew when the corm is replanted, potentially producing offsets, or 'cormlets', which can be separated to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- Gladiolus 'Charming Beauty', commonly known as Gladiolus, is typically propagated through division of corms. The best time to divide and plant gladiolus corms is in the spring after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, ensuring a conducive environment for growth. To propagate, begin by carefully lifting the clump of corms from the ground using a spade or garden fork, being mindful not to damage the corms. Brush off any excess soil and inspect the corms, separating the healthy ones from the old or diseased. Each corm should have a portion of the basal plate (the bottom of the corm where roots grow) to successfully regenerate. Plant the corms about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) deep, and space them approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart in well-draining soil with full sun exposure. Water the corms well after planting to settle the soil around them and provide the necessary moisture for root and shoot development.