GLADIOLUS :

Standing tall and pround, the gladiolus is a spiky stem with large florets that open in succession: minimature varieties with fewer florets are also available. Full stems can be used to add height to arrangements, while the individual florets can be made into boutonnieres. Many of its varieties originated on the African continent. The flower’s name is derived from the Latin for sword (gladius), after the shape of its leaves. Look for gladiolus in a wide spectrum of colors-white, yellow, orange, magenta, lavender, and red-including some varieties with bicolor flowers.