The Gladioli.. Gladiolus

The Gladioli is the birth flower of August and traditionally given for the 40th wedding anniversary. With the meanings infatuation, faithfulness, protection and good luck.

These magnificent flowers grow up to 4 feet tall, they are a perennial bulb from the Iris family, plant the bulb in the Spring about 5inchs deep for beautiful low maintenance summer flowers.

Gladioli originated in Africa and Asia. By the 1700s they were being cultivated in Europe and globally by the 1800s although first seen as a wildflower.

It is said that gladiators wore gladioli for the meaning of strength. I assume if this were true I would agree with the assumption as the stems are extremely strong and work very well in an arrangement given its stability and height.

The word Gladiolu comes from the word Gladiolus Latin word = Xiphium, Xiphos a Greek word meaning sword for the shape of the gladiolus long pointed leaves gladiolus also known as sword Lillie.