Gladioli are among the sun worshipers and are unfortunately not very hardy. If you leave the bulbs in the ground in autumn, the plants will usually not sprout the next year because the small tubers will freeze to death. However, not everyone has the opportunity to overwinter the gladiolus bulbs in a cool, frost-free place or in the basement. Here it makes sense to plant hardy gladioli, which are less sensitive to frost and can remain in the bed even during the cold season.
The bulbs of some types of gladioli can be left in the ground during the winter
Hardy gladioli
These varieties usually have smaller flowers than the well-known cultivated gladioli. But this is what makes the winter-hardy varieties so attractive, which do very well in natural gardens. They bloom a little earlier than gladioli planted in spring. If you plant both hardy and cultivated gladiolus, you can extend the flowering period without having to plant gladiolus bulbs at a later time.
Winter protection necessary
Even frost-resistant gladioli that overwinter outdoors need adequate protection against the cold. Since the cover stays on the ground for weeks or even months, it is important that the protective coat lets enough air through. Lack of oxygen inevitably leads to rot, which can spread to the roots.
A not too thin cover made of:
- twigs
- leaves
- loosely piled up compost that has not yet fully decomposed
tips
In harsh areas, it is advisable to also get the frost-resistant varieties out of the ground and overwinter them in a suitable place like normal cultivated gladioli. The room should be as cool as possible so that the gladioli do not sprout prematurely.