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Flowers similar to gladioli belong to the same family - Iris. They are united by tall peduncles, narrow and very long lanceolate leaves and inflorescences, located vertically one above the other. But there are also differences related to the structure of flowers and their color. The main types of similar plants with photos and descriptions can be found in this material.
Names of flowers similar to gladioli
There are several flowers that actually look like gladioli. They are related by approximately the same shape, color, structure of leaves and height of peduncles. The most popular representatives are described in the following sections.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia, also called montbretia or tritonia, like gladiolus, belongs to the iris family. They grow from bulbs covered with a mesh-like membrane. The flower stalks are quite powerful, they can reach from 40 cm to 1.5 m. Moreover, the flowers are small and orange in color. They bloom gradually - first the lower ones, then the middle and then the upper ones.
The color is orange, bright, the size is small - no more than 5 cm in diameter. We can say that these flowers are shaped like gladioli, only small orange. They resemble stars and look quite elegant and bright against the background of green leaves. The color can also be red or yellow. Flowering begins in mid-summer and continues until late autumn.
Gladiolus-like crocosmia can be used for single planting
The plant is quite strong and holds up well in the wind. At the same time, tall flowers (similar to gladioli) need support. Crocosmias grow well in lighted areas without stagnant water. They need fairly fertile and loose soil.
From a biological point of view, plants are different species. In addition, they differ in the size of both inflorescences and foliage.
Acidanthera
Acidanthera is another flower that is very similar to gladioli. Various colors:
- white;
- yellow;
- light pink.
The peduncles are thin, erect, growing up to 120 cm in height. The corms are oval-shaped, milky-white, with a brown shell, only 3 cm in diameter. The inflorescences are spike-shaped. The leaves are narrow and very long – 50 cm, xiphoid. Each peduncle has from 3 to 10 flowers. They are not only beautiful and elegant, but they also smell pleasant and give off a sweetish aroma that attracts bees and other beneficial insects.
Acidanthera is very similar to gladiolus, it looks beautiful when planted next to the path
It is worth remembering that acidanthera is a tropical plant. Therefore, planting can be planned only after the threat of return frosts has disappeared. Bulbs are usually planted only at the end of May, and often at the beginning of June. Caring for plants comes down to regular watering and periodic feeding. Fertilizers should be applied especially intensively during the flowering period.
Tigridia
Similar to gladiolus and tigridia, which also produces bright inflorescences of various colors:
- white in combination with red;
- red;
- scarlet;
- yellow combined with orange.
The height of tigridia, depending on the variety, ranges from 30 to 70 cm. The plant has simple or branched shoots. The leaves are bright green, sword-shaped. At the top of each arrow there is one or 2-3 inflorescences. Their shape is quite bizarre, reminiscent of butterflies with bright wings.
Tigridia is similar to gladioli, it is considered one of the most attractive varieties of Iris
It is better to plan planting for the second half of May, when warm weather sets in. The place should be in partial shade, because otherwise the peduncles may become thin and weak. In such cases, they must be tied to a support. The soil should be fertile and loose. If the soil is too clayey, vermiculite or sand is first added to it.
Planting holes should be 50-60 cm deep. This is due to the need for drainage - a layer of stones up to 25 cm high. These can be pebbles, expanded clay, broken brick. The bulbs are pre-sprouted, then placed on stones and covered with fertile soil.
Ixia
Ixia also grows from corms and belongs to the iris family. Its flowers look like gladioli. They have a bright color, which can vary greatly depending on the variety:
- red;
- brown;
- yellow;
- white;
- pink.
Each flower consists of six petals, the color of which becomes almost black closer to the center. Flowering begins in May, sometimes in June. If the weather is cloudy, the buds do not open. The aroma is pleasant, but not very pronounced.
The height of Ixia peduncles reaches from 15 to 70 cm
Snapdragon
Snapdragon flowers (Antirrhinum) also look like gladioli. Plants are herbaceous or semi-shrub. Stems with thin grooves, green, erect, reach a height of 15 cm to 1 m.As a rule, they form pyramid-shaped bushes. The lower leaf plates are located opposite, and the upper ones are alternate. The shape is lanceolate, sometimes also elongated-oval.
The flowers are quite large, two-lipped, and irregular in shape. They can be simple or terry, i.e. consist of both several and many petals growing in rows. The color is similar to that of gladioli:
- white;
- yellow;
- pink;
- combination of two colors.
Snapdragon can be grown in the garden and at home
Flowering begins in June and continues throughout the fall until the first frost. In order to have a sufficiently large number of inflorescences, it is necessary to periodically apply complex fertilizers, alternating them with organic matter (for example, potassium humate, mullein infusion 1:10).
Mallow
Malva is also similar to gladiolus, although to a lesser extent than the same crocosmia. The fact is that it belongs not to the Iris, but to the Malvaceae, and the biological difference is reflected in the appearance.
The height of the plants reaches 30-120 cm, sometimes more. Flowers appear in large quantities on narrow, erect peduncles. Their shape resembles wide bells, the diameter ranges from 8 to 12 cm. Each inflorescence has from 5 to 7 petals, the surface is bare or slightly pubescent. Various colors:
- white;
- light pink;
- rich pink;
- scarlet;
- red;
- burgundy;
- purple;
- almost black.
Mallow, similar to gladiolus, comes in a variety of colors.
The undoubted advantage of mallow compared to other flowers is its unpretentiousness. It can withstand drought and even frosts down to -7 degrees. You can water the plants 2-3 times a month. For good flowering, it is advisable to feed at the stage of bud formation and then every three weeks. Flowering starts in mid-June and ends in late August.
Conclusion
Flowers similar to gladioli are heat-loving, not resistant to drought and require regular fertilization. Please note that caring for them requires some time. On the other hand, these are very beautiful plants that bloom throughout the summer, and many even in the fall before the first frost. Therefore, the efforts will be justified.
