Gladiolus: Honorable And Heroic With A Touch Of Elegance
Hello Weekly Whorlers! This week we Greet the Mighty Gladiolus! This towering flower is not only a beautiful summer blossom, but it is also the Flower of the Month of August. With an array of colors and tall spikes of flowers, it's no wonder it shines, like the sun in the summer, to be a crowd favorite. Let's get down to it and dig in to this magnificent specimen!
How We Got Here: The History Of Gladiolus
Gladiolus, most of which are native to Sub-Sahara Africa especially South Africa's Cape Floristic Region, are also native to the Mediterranean Basin. The Roman Empire was the first modern culture to elevate the Gladiolus and bring it to world fame. The name itself comes from the Latin word "gladius" which means sword, due to its sword-like leaves and flower spikes.
Triumphant gladiators were often showered with Gladiolus flowers, solidifying their symbolism of heroism, victory and honor. The wealthy also planted them in their gardens as a status symbol, and they were a common sight at festivals as decorations.
Today, they are mainly used for their beauty, but prior to modern medicine, people in the Mediterranean and in Britain used their corms (the bulbous stem found underground) as a topical medicine that helps remove splinters and thorns, it was also ground up and mixed with goat's milk to create a powder that treated colic.
In the Victorian era, when many flowers were used to convey secret messages, the Gladiolus, with its dramatic, upright form, was a powerful symbol meaning "infatuation" or to say "you pierce my heart".
Uses, Then And Now
Historically, the Gladiolus has a rich symbolic meaning and even some medicinal properties. Few people used them in their culinary practices, but those who did would roast the corms which taste like chestnuts, or use the flower petals in salads.
Today they are mostly used for their striking visual appeal, as they make a great addition to any floral arrangement needing some extra height, or as a beautiful addition to any garden.
More specifically gladiolus are a popular gift for anyone born in August, as this is the birth flower for the month. They are also the traditional flower for celebrating a 40th Anniversary, symbolizing the long-lasting faithfulness and integrity of a marriage.
In the garden they can create a stunning wall of color that backs up any shorter plants and flowers in the foreground.
They are a common flower to use for certain ceremonies as they are a symbol of remembrance, sincerity, integrity. White Gladiolus are often at funerals or memorials and add a sense of reverence and solemnity.
Did You Know?
Gladiolus has over 250 species with over 30,000 known varieties!
They are part of the Iris family (Iridaceae)
Most Gladiolus have no fragrance, and are really only prized for their visual appeal
They do not grow from a bulb, but a specialized swollen stem, called a corm.
They can bloom throughout the summer, and flower about 60-90 days after planting the corm.
We hope you enjoyed getting to greet the glorious Gladiolus! If you were born in August, Happy Birthday To You, what a special flower to call your own!