A glad for people who would normally never grow them, ‘Atom’ is about half the size of regular varieties, growing to at most 3 feet tall. This 1946 classic blends easily into perennial borders, and it won’t get lost because its flowers are blazing red cooled by a thin, silvery edge.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsShorter stature than most glads, with an eye-catching flower color that nevertheless fits well into borders.
CareFull sun to part shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Treat as annuals, or dig up and store 6 weeks after bloom (dip in fungicide and allow to dry for a few weeks).
PropagationSow seed at 59°F in spring. Separate cormlets when dormant.
ProblemsGladiolus corm rot (Fusarium), gray mold (Botrytis), viruses, aster yellows, spider mites, thrips, aphids.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Hunter Industries MP-1000-90 Hunter Nozzle
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
- Genus : Gladiolus
- Plant Height : 1 to 3 feet
- Zones : 10, 8, 9
- Plant Width : 6 to 12 inches
- Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Moisture : Medium Moisture
- Growth Rate : Moderate
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Plant Type : Perennials
- Flower Color : Red
- Bloom Time : Summer
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest
Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members
Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.
