Gladioli 'Plum Tart'

Seductive, plum purple petals with a velvet sheen. These deeply coloured petals work well with other rich reds and purples. They are an absolute stand out with silver foliage – behind a clump of Artemisia would be dreamy.

As well as being fabulously flamboyant, Gladioli are hardy and reliable flowers that can be easily timed for a succession of towering, vibrant colour in summer.

Gladioli are ideal in clumps or woven through beds, they combine well with perennial plants such as Lilies, Salvias and Cornflowers. They are also excellent in the picking garden. Like most bulbs, the more the merrier. Planting them in a decent clump will allow you to pick them and give you a memorable show.

Gladioli bring a dimension of height to your garden and come in a huge array of colours so there is something to suit everyone and every garden colour scheme. The bulbs are easy to plant and don't require a lot of fuss.

It is a good idea to ensure you plant your Gladioli bulbs deeply enough (around 10cm), this will reduce the need for staking. Gladioli like a sunny position and you need to ensure you keep them moist when they are in flower for best results. From planting they will take 90-120 days to flower – quicker in warmer weather. Hold off planting until after the threat of frost.