This is one of the most under-rated flowers in the plant kingdom. Botanically, it just a gladiolus, but that's just the point. In the garden, it's a knockout. It's inexpensive, a snap to grow, and its display and blooms are some of the most exotic anywhere. The name says it all. Like a peacock, these exquisite flowers will rise above the foliage and open like spectacular rare orchids. If you cut them, your arrangement will be absolutely spectacular. Many a gardener has tried this one and become totally addicted to growing it. Your neighbors have never seen it, and they'll never know that all you had to do was stick a few bulbs into the dirt, to have this incredible beauty in your garden. Enjoy!
From a gardener who’s grown it: "I planted ten corms in semi-frozen ground in early March of 2002. The soil and sun conditions varied from poor sandy soil with almost full sun to semi-rich soil in almost full shade. Regularly treated the soil with fertilizer every 2 weeks.
None of the corms had sprouted by late spring, so I continued planting around them, figuring that the planting was mis-timed and the corms had died.
In early summer, over a 3-week period, all of the corms sprouted. In mid-August, when the plants had reached anywhere from 18"-24", they began to flower. BEAUTIFUL, and with a nice (almost cologne-like) aroma. Blooms kept appearing until late October.
Although this plant cannot survive the winters here in Zone 6b, they are SO easy to grow that I plant them every year (basically treating them as an annual). It seems that EVERY corm that I plant sprouts, so there's no guesswork involved.".....from a subscriber to DavesGarden.com, gardening in Stratford, CT
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Botanical Name
: Gladiolus acidanthera
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Common Name
: Peacock Orchid
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Type
: Annual Flower Bulb
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Color
: Fragrant white flowers with a deep purple center
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Spread/Width
: Plant 9 bulbs per square foot
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Bloom Time
: Early summer through early fall
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Sun/Shade
: Full sun to part shade
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Soil Preferences
: Will grow in almost any soil type but prefers a sandy loam soil that is well drained.
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Advantages
: Deer resistant. Ideal for patio pots.
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Zones
: All zones. When frost threatens, lift bulbs and store for the next spring.
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