More commonly known as the 'Suicide Lily' for two reasons. The first because of the vivid and rich red flowers, the second because of its preferred habitat being the side of cliff faces in South Africa, where attempts to collect it or its seeds often resulted in 'deadly' consequences for the unsuspecting flower enthusiast.
This giant of a Gladiolus is very ornamental and easy to grow. The flowers are 2 inch wide and open on short spikes with up to seven flowers appearing one after each other. (Think firework display). Summer bloomer and tolerant of summer. Water before going dormant in late summer.
For best result and show stopping power grow in large clay pots with good draining soil.
Sowing Instructions
These are very easy. Sow any time and cover them very thinly with compost or grit, keeping the seed pot in a cool well lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is NOT needed and can actually prevent your seeds from germinating. They germinate by themselves at the early part of spring after chilling / freezing in the seed pot in the winter.
Grow on individual seedlings in sufficient sized pots or plant in the open ground. Told you they were easy.