13 Pretty Gladiolus Varieties to Plant This Spring

The hardest part about growing these colorful flowers is choosing which cultivars to grow. For a little inspiration, check out the 13 gorgeous gladiolus varieties below to plant in your flower garden this spring. 

Fidelo Gladiolus

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Fidelo Gladiolus Bulbs

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White Prosperity Gladiolus

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Helvetia Gladiolus

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Helvetia Gladiolus Bulbs

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‘Fidelo’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Fidelo’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Fidelo’ varieties are classic gladiolus that produce deep pink and fuschia-colored blooms. They grow up to 5 feet tall, with strong, healthy stems that look great in flower arrangements. 

Plant them in spring in well-drained soil amended with organic compost. Space their corms 4 to 6 inches apart. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season and avoid overwatering. 

These pink blooms will thrive in containers like these or in garden beds and garden borders. Try successive planting to get constant blooms throughout the summer. 

‘Jester’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Jester’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 7-10

If you’re looking for complex and large yellow blooms, look no further than ‘Jester’ varieties. These gladiolus flowers will fill your garden with bright yellow blossoms with red to dark orange centers. They grow up to 4 feet tall and look visually striking when planted around garden borders or cut gardens. 

Plant ‘Jester’ corms in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. They love well-drained soil amended with plenty of organic material like compost. Space your corms between 6 to 8 inches. Because of their height, stake your plants once they start to mature to keep them upright. 

These stunning yellow flowers are easy to maintain. They’ll grow as perennials in warm climates or you can use them as annuals in your cut garden. I love planting these yellow bloomers as colorful garden borders. 

‘Flirty’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Flirty’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Flirty’ gladiolus grow tall and strong, with beautiful purple blooms and gorgeous foliage. If you’re a fan of purple, you’ll love these epic flowers. Their petals resemble the ruffled purple cuffs Prince used to wear in the 80s. 

Besides their elegant beauty, these flowers are easy to grow and even easier to care for. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Space them out 6 to 9 inches. Once they mature, their stems will grow up to 4 feet tall and will be filled with majestic flowers for weeks. 

Once cut, these flowers will last for over a week in vases and arrangements. Plant them anywhere in your garden or grow them in containers as purple show-stopping centerpieces. 

‘White Prosperity’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘White Prosperity’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘White Prosperity’ gladiolus varieties are hard not to adore. They have elegant ruffled petals that are white to creamy white. When planted or arranged next to other colorful gladioli, they create a stunning backdrop. Or, they’ll make eye-catching centerpieces or borders. 

These tall flowers can grow up to 4 feet tall. Try staking them to help them keep their upright growth. Plant them in well-drained soil, and space their corms 9 to 12 inches apart to give them enough aeration. 

To enjoy colorful blooms all summer long, try growing your ‘White Prosperity’ by succession planting. Start one crop in spring shortly after the last frost and continue monthly with new batches. As you harvest one batch, you’ll have several others in the pipeline. 

‘Helvetia’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Helvetia’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Helvetia’ flowers are tall and unique, with red petals and signature white stripes on them. Their classic patterns brighten up any bouquet. Use them in floral arrangements or on their own in vases for classic color. 

Plant these tall flowers in well-drained soil and space them 9 to 12 inches apart. Make sure their corms are planted 4 to 6 inches deep, and keep their soil moist. 

These flowers require very little effort to maintain and will last through the summer to fall. Once cut, enjoy the flowers for over a week. 

‘Jenny’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Jenny’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Jenny’ forms bright orange blooms from mid-summer to early fall. They’re shorter than the other gladiolus varieties on this list, yet they produce big and bright blooms that are impossible to ignore. 

Because of their shorter stalks, you don’t have to worry about staking them. They’ll grow upright with very little maintenance.

Add them to cut gardens or border gardens as fiery tangerine accents. If you love the color orange, you’ll love growing these stunning flowers this spring. 

‘Merlot Ice’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Merlot Ice’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

If you love dark red flowers that resemble red wine, look for ‘Merlot Ice’ corms. These types produce super tall stalks that become covered in dark red petals. Some blooms have thin silvery streaks along their ends, making them complex and captivating. 

Plant these tall gladiolus varieties in well-drained soil that’s slightly acidic. Space them 6 to 8 inches apart and give them a generous amount of water. Because of their height, you’ll want to stake them. 

Grow these majestic, velvety, dark-red blooms in your cut garden or as garden borders. They look especially striking planted with ‘White Prosperity’ and ‘Flirty.’ 

‘Shaka Zulu’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Shaka Zulu’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Shaka Zulu’ types are some of the most complex gladioli flowers. They have striking dark burgundy petals with beautiful snow-colored splashes. When they bloom, they cover the tall stalks with dark and elegant colors. 

Plant these tall gladiolus in areas with full sun, away from sun-loving plants. They’ll thrive in well-drained soil amended with organic compost. 

Because of their height, stake your plants once they start to mature. Grow them with other cultivars for contrasting colors or as dark centerpieces for flower arrangements. 

‘Passos’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Passos’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Passos’ are some of my favorites. They have lacy lilac and lavender-colored petals with striking purple hearts. They resemble ornate tie-dyed shirts with intricate ruffles. 

These blossoms will bring intricate textures and variable color patterns to your garden. Grow them with solid-colored cultivars and watch their colors pop. 

‘Passos’ flowers are some of the tallest gladiolus you can grow. Stake them when they mature to prevent them from falling over in the wind. Like the others on this list, they’re incredibly easy to maintain. 

‘Oscar’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Oscar’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

If you love the color red and want bold statement flowers in your garden, try growing ‘Oscar’ types. These bright and bold red flowers with contrasting sword-like green leaves are hard to ignore. 

Plant ‘Oscar’ corms in well-drained soil in an area with full sun. Plant them 6 inches apart and stake them to help keep their upright appearance. 

Grow them in containers or flower beds. Because of their height and intense color, they’ll look especially attractive in the middle of your cut garden beds. 

‘Circus Club’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Circus Club’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

If solid colors are boring, plant ‘Circus Club.’ These blooms have cream and purple petals with splashes of white and maroon interiors. They’re some of the most eye-catching gladioli you can grow. They’re also some of the tallest, making them excellent for cut gardens and borders. 

Plant this show-stopping gladiolus in the spring for summer blooms. Plant them in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Make sure they get plenty of sun and enjoy their easy-to-maintain nature. 

‘Moonlight Shadow’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Moonlight Shadow’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Moonlight Shadow’ gladiolus are tall and visually impressive. They put on large, sword-like foliage and tall stalks. Their flowers are frilled and painted with soft yellow centers and lilac-colored edges. 

Plant these complex varieties with other softer gladiolus or darker cultivars like ‘Shaka Zulu’ and ‘Merlot Ice’. Because of their height, they’ll look amazing in the center of your cut garden or as colorful borders. 

Space their corms 6 to 8 inches apart, and give them plenty of sunlight. Like other tall types, stake them once they mature to keep their shape. 

‘Prins Claus’

	botanical name Gladiolus ‘Prins Claus’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 2’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Add ‘Prins Claus’ to your spring gardening list for a different vibe. Unlike their taller cousins, these types grow close to the ground, barely reaching 2 feet.