The most common Gladiolus in most gardens are hybrids. On this page we will add pictures of plants that we may or may not know the origins of. The history of Gladiolus hybrids was summarized in a 
message to the pbslist from John Grimshaw.
Gladiolus index -- Southern African Gladiolus A-B -- Southern African Gladiolus Ca -- Southern African Gladiolus Ce-E -- Southern African Gladiolus F-H -- Southern African Gladiolus I-Me -- Southern African Gladiolus Mi-Pa -- Southern African Gladiolus Pe-Sc -- Southern African Gladiolus Se-T -- Southern African Gladiolus U-Z -- Miscellaneous Gladiolus
Gladiolus cardinalis hybrids The species is quite challenging to grow as a garden plant since it is found in waterfalls and it is hard to duplicate those conditions. This hybrid is however a very nice plant acquired from Telos Rare Bulbs. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Gladiolus ×colvillei is a name attributed to crosses between Gladiolus cardinalis and Gladiolus tristis. I am wondering if my plants which have been very good garden plants in Northern California (bordering on weedy) for a number of years are the ones sometimes called 'Albus', white with a yellow stripe on the lower segments. Notice the spider that blends right into the flower. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Gladiolus huttonii × tristis These plants were grown from seed from a couple of different sources and were labeled Gladiolus huttonii but are hybrids between this species and Gladious tristis. They are good performers in Northern California and bloom in winter. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
More variations
More pictures from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens bulb collection. Photos by Kristina Van Wert.
Gladiolus hybrid with red flower. This plant was shared by a friend who thought it might have been created in Israel. I have planted it in my California garden and it is growing on a winter cycle, dry in summer and seems to be returning, but does not always bloom at the same time every year. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner
Gladiolus nanus is a term often used for hybrids with small flowers. There is probably a cultivar name for these plants growing in my garden in Northern California, but I don't know what it is.
Gladiolus papilio hybrid? This photo taken September 2006 in southern Brazil by Tarcísio Eduardo Raduenz was sent in by the photographer as Gladiolus papilio, but that species had nodding flowers best seen lying flat on the ground and looking up. This flower is no doubt a hybrid and perhaps it has that species in its parentage.
Gladiolus index -- Southern African Gladiolus A-B -- Southern African Gladiolus Ca -- Southern African Gladiolus Ce-E -- Southern African Gladiolus F-H -- Southern African Gladiolus I-Me -- Southern African Gladiolus Mi-Pa -- Southern African Gladiolus Pe-Sc -- Southern African Gladiolus Se-T -- Southern African Gladiolus U-Z -- Miscellaneous Gladiolus
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