Glads!

[redfox]

A few days ago, the über cute 6th grader delivered my bulb order from her door-to-door raise money for school canvassing efforts. Never having planted gladiolus, I orderd two bags of bulbs, 48 in all. Mixed colors. Any tips, all you fab gardeners? Thanks!

[peggy]

Yes. Stagger the plantings. Plant some this week, then some next week, etc...That will extend your bloom times and give you cutting flowers for weeks.

[iris lilies]

yep, peggy's got it right. They like loose, well drained soil as all bulbs do. Lots of sun.

I wonder if they live through your Seattle winters? They are tender bulbs and they die during cold winters if you don't dig them up in the fall and keep them in the basement.

I've got a photo of my grandpa with a big trophy from the local garden club, holding his prize winning gladious. That's probably what inspired me to enter flower shows with lilies and iris.