Acidanthera (details) - Garden Basics - Flower - Bulb

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(Acidanthera bicolor)

Peacock Orchid

• AKA: Acidanthera
• Botanical Name: Gladiolus callianthus
• Planting Time: Spring
• Height: up to 3.5 feet tall
• Exposure: Sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained
• Hardiness: Zones 6 and warmer
• Bloom Time: mid-summer to fall
• Uses: beds, borders, cutflowers
  Flowers are plesantly fragrant, so plant them where their fragrance can be appreciated.

Etc.

• For best effect, plant in clusters of 5-7
• Space the corms 6 to 9 inches apart, 4 inches deep
• In zones 6 and cooler corms must be lifted in the fall

Tip:
Acidantheras need a long growing season, and in zones north of 6 it's a good idea to plant the corms indoors in pots about a month before last frost to give them a head start. Transfer the plants to the garden without breaking the soil balls, or plant pot and all in the garden. Cover plants if fall frosts arrive before flowering stops.