Gladiolus dalenii

Bulbous species native to South Africa and central Africa up to western Arabia, with summer-autumn growth and winter dormant. Leaves distichous, ensiform up to 1 m long. In late autumn it produces long floral scapes bearing several flowers with 5 orange tepals with a yellow center which open in succession from the bottom up. The plant shows good hardyness (-5°C) and good tolerance to winter humidity. In nature it grows in grasslands, in sparse woods and on rocky cliffs between the rock cracks. Plant in a long pot with 9 cm sides.