Gladiolus (Gladiolus 'Flevo Jive')
Gladiolus 'Flevo Jive' offers showy white and yellow blooms, perfect for medium-maintenance summer displays in full sun gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ is a compact cultivar prized for its striking, funnel-shaped flowers displaying crisp white and yellow markings during the late summer months. As a member of the vast Gladiolus genus, this plant contributes significant vertical interest and reliable color to the mid-to-late season garden landscape. Ideal for gardeners seeking brilliant, showy blooms, Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ generally reaches heights between one and two feet, often negating the need for staking.
This corm-bearing member of the Iridaceae family thrives best when given consistent attention, balancing its medium water needs with excellent drainage. While commonly grown as an annual for maximum effect across the US, established plants can sometimes overwinter in warmer climates. Cultivating Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ offers the gardener a classic summer flower that performs exceptionally well both when massed in beds or featured prominently in patio containers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Iridaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: White and yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Gladiolus corms should occur after the danger of the last frost has passed, though you may start them indoors in early spring for an earlier display. These bulbs prefer humusy, medium-wet, well-drained soils, though they adapt to many soil types except heavy clay. Ensure you site your Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ in a location that offers protection from strong summer winds. Plant corms 4 to 6 inches deep and space them approximately 5 to 6 inches apart.
Consistent moisture is crucial throughout the growing season, particularly during dry spells, as you must not allow the soil to dry out completely. After the peak bloom period, reduce watering to encourage the foliage to begin yellowing naturally. For gardeners in zones 7-10, while leaving corms in the ground is possible, annual digging often results in better flowering performance.
Before the first hard fall frost, dig up the corms once the foliage has yellowed. Trim the stems and leaves, separate any small cormels produced, and dry the entire collection thoroughly. Store healthy corms and cormels for winter in a cool, dry, frost-free location, ideally nestled within a dry medium. If fungal issues were present, dusting the corms with a fungicide before storage is a sound preventative measure with Gladiolus.
Landscape Uses
The striking vertical accent provided by Gladiolus makes them superb additions to garden beds and borders, adding necessary height among lower-growing perennials and annuals. Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’, being a more compact hybrid, is particularly effective when used for structural impact without overwhelming smaller plantings. Their sword-like foliage offers year-round texture when situated near the front edge of a border.
Beyond traditional garden beds, these bulbs excel as temporary container plants on decks and patios. Grouping several Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ corms tightly within a large container creates a dramatic, movable focal point. Because of their strong visual impact and height potential, pair them with mounding or spreading plants nearby, such as petunias or creeping phlox, to create pleasing foundational contrast.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Gladiolus derives from the Latin word for a small sword, referencing the shape of its upright, medium green leaves. Modern hybrids, like Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’, produce some of the most magnificent summer flowers and are staples in the florist trade. This specific cultivar is recognized for its shorter scapes, meaning staking is usually unnecessary, offering easy drama in the garden.
Tolerances
- None listed
Potential Problems
Gladiolus, including the Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ variety, are susceptible to several fungal and viral issues, including botrytis, rust, wilt, and crown rot. Monitor regularly for common pests such as thrips, aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites, which can damage the foliage and blooms. If thrips caused significant damage during the growing season, treating the corms with an appropriate insecticide just before you store them for the winter will help prevent reinfestation next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ suitable for?
Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 10, though maximizing bloom quality often suggests annual digging even in the warmer end of this range.
How large does Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ grow?
This compact Gladiolus hybrid typically achieves a height between 1 and 2 feet and spreads between 0.75 and 1.5 feet, producing flower stems that usually do not require external support.
What sun exposure does Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ need?
This variety performs best and produces the most vibrant blooms when situated in a location receiving full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ bloom?
You can expect the showy white and yellow flowers of Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ to appear throughout the late summer season, specifically from August into September.
Conclusion
For vibrant, vertical color that anchors late-summer displays, the compact Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ is an excellent choice. Its ease of culture as an annual, combined with spectacular white and yellow flowers, makes this Daffodil a garden highlight. Before planning your planting, confirm your local frost dates and ensure you have well-draining soil to give your Gladiolus corms the best start.
Companion Planting
When planning a bed featuring Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’, select companions that appreciate similar sun and water needs but offer contrasting foliage texture or mound closer to the ground. Plants like Zinnias, Dahlias (shorter varieties), and tall Marigolds make excellent neighbors, as they share the need for full sun and medium moisture. Avoid planting too close, as overcrowding can impede air circulation, which is vital for preventing common Gladiolus fungal issues.
Design Ideas Using Sword Lilies
Due to the strong vertical habit inherent to most Gladiolus cultivars, they function perfectly as “thrillers” in container arrangements or as mid-level accents in perennial borders. Because the leaves are sword-shaped, they contrast beautifully with rounded foliage plants like Hostas or Caladiums when placed in partial shade, although Gladiolus ‘Flevo Jive’ requires full sun. Use groupings of three or five corms planted sequentially through June to ensure a sustained spectacle of white and yellow blooms across the entire late summer season.
