Gladioli

I tried some of those @JennyJB but they didn't do very well, even in the raised beds. The colour was wrong too, so I think I was sent the wrong ones. I'd noticed a clump in some gravel below a hedge, in a garden I sometimes walk past, and did a little research. They were quite dark pink, but the ones I got were peely wally, so I was quite glad they didn't do well!
I can't remember the name of the other type that's meant to be hardy though. Begins with 'p' I think...

I'm so sorry @Fat Controller - but I ain't reimbursing you
I did the same thing a few days ago after people talking about lilies and dahlias.
I'm awaiting the new ones now...

 

@CarolineL - would those be the other glad. I was trying to remember - G. papilio? There's a variety of that called Ruby, and that's supposed to be a pernnial type

 

I bought some to try this year. I didn't know you could put them in troughs so may give that a go and see what happens.

 

Isn't everything needed in the corm? I thought you only needed to feed if you want to keep them for next year. I'm regretting dumping last year's. I can only find colours I don't fancy but I did manage to get some limey green ones.

 

@fairygirl - yes, Ruby is a papilio type, but a really good strong colour, and increases in my wet Welsh clayish soil! I used to have byzantinus in Nottinghamshire clay but although it survived, it didn't increase much. The fancier species from south Africa are harder to please, though I did find flanaganii reasonably ok

 

@BB3 I found I could post photos from my laptop by clicking on Upload a File, in blue, bottom right.

 

I'd never get fed up of gladioli photos, I adore them!
I don't grow them because they seem too faffy for me.

 

Here you go @Mrs. B. I

 

Many thanks @CarolineL - similar to you, heavy clay and a lot of rain here, but I always spend time amending the soil, which makes it easier for many plants. I really like the G. p. Ruby variety, so that's another one to add to the list for next year

Th ebyzantinus that I was seeing would have had drier conditions due to the site it was in, and it was in/on a gravelly drive and near the pavement footings too, so that would have helped considerably. Not a very sunny site though, but it didn't seem to affect it adversely. When it's in flower, I'll need to go that way when I'm out and take a closer look.

 

That's the idea, but for me they flower in the first year and then it's hit-and-miss after that, even if I feed them. Can't be bothered with lifting and storing although I believe some people do (no space for that - even Dahlias take their chances being left in the ground)

 

I could never leave anything like that in the ground @JennyJB . Even tried the Acidantheras in pots in the gr'house, but it just gets too damp. Dahlias have no chance!
I experimented over this winter - keeping them in various places. The only ones that are still viable are the ones I managed to dry off enough and keep in the house.

 

Aye - get yer finger oot @Fat Controller

I'm sure my Grandpa probably grew them too - it would have been a common thing back then.

 

You can only do, what you can do @Fat Controller