REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Easy to grow and guaranteed to add bursts of showy blossoms to any garden, gladioluses, the classic summer bloomers, are making a comeback

- WENDY HELFENBAUM

GRACING GARDENS FOR U GENERATIONS, the fast-growing gladiolus is a member of the iris family, featuring multiple funnel-shaped blossoms clustered together alongside narrow, blade like leaves. Named for gladius, the Latin word for "sword," the genus is also known as flag flower and sword lily. Glads, as they're often called, add drama to small spaces and are perfect for cut-flower arrangements. Most varieties are hardy in Zones 7 to 10, but some are rated hardy to Zone 5. They're easy to plant, deer resistant and affordable, says David R. Clark, a certified nursery and landscape professional with the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association Inc., in Hamburg, New York.

"You can buy a bag of 45 unnamed corms from your local garden center or home construction store for $17 to $20," David says.

AN EXOTIC PAST

Gladioluses flourish in many North American gardens, but most varieties are native to arid African and Mediterranean areas, David says.

"There are more than 300 species of gladiolus worldwide-260 originating from South Africa, 76 from tropical Africa and 10 Asian and Mediterranean European ones, which are some of the hardiest," he says.

Plant breeders developed the first large-flowered hybrid types in the late 1830s, and now glads offer amazing color and texture.

SIZES, SHAPES AND COLORS FOR ANY GARDEN