Gladiolus tristis

Gladiolus tristis

Family: Iridaceae

Common names: Marsh Afrikaner

Cormous geophyte up to 1m tall. Leaves slender, cross-shaped in section. Flowers long-tubed, pale yellow to cream colored, sometimes with dark stripes on the three upper lobes. Flowers strongly fragrant in the evening.

Sowing instructions: Seed is sown in autumn, thinly, in deep (min. 10 cm) seed trays, to allow for root development. The soil medium should be well drained, a recommended mix being 2 parts sand: 2 parts compost: 1 part loam or equal parts sand and compost, and the seeds should be planted 3-4 mm deep, covered with clean sand and kept moist and lightly shaded.

Locality: Caledon. Harvest: December 2024