In times past, the Byzantine Gladiolus was a favorite in the Old South. It can still be found growing in old cemeteries, abandoned home sites, and along ditches. I saw one last year for the first time. It was love at first sight and I knew I just had to have one but they are very hard to find and few places sell them.

Every year in October, the Smith County Master Gardeners Association hosts its annual “From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale”. The lovely Byzantine gladiolus was one of the hardy, hard-to-find bulbs being offered for sale last year. I was told they normally sell out on the first day of the online sale. And as I predicted, they were already sold out before I could order any. I was so disappointed but determined to learn more about this amazing bulb.

In studying the Byzantine gladiolus (Gladiolus x byzantinus) I learned it can grow up to 3 feet tall with showy purple to magenta spiked tubular flowers, which are more like orchids than gladiolas. These long, sword-shaped leaves grow into what resembles a fan. The flowers grow in clusters of up to 15 blooms, which appear in late spring to early summer.

Byzantines prefer fertile, well-drained soil and full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Byzantines can be planted in naturalized areas, borders, groups, or cottage gardens. Taller flowering stems may need staking to keep them from falling over in heavy winds.

Even though the Byzantines were indeed sold out last year, a dear friend, who knew how much I loved them, surprised me with a bag of several Byzantine bulbs after the sale. I was so happy, I began to cry. I planted them last fall, and in the spring, they bloomed even more beautifully than I had even imagined.

Byzantine gladiolus and more heritage, hardy, and locally trialed bulbs will be for sale at this year’s From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale to be held on October 25^th at Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Road, in Tyler.

Our conference speaker will be Dr. Greg Grant, Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His program will be “Growing On and On: A Bulb Sale Preview”- an intimate look at the bulbs proven to bloom year after year in your East Texas garden with no extra watering or fertilization. From daffodils to lilies and every bulb in between, his lecture will help you decide when, where, and what to plant to make your flower garden bloom year round with little or no extra care. You’re guaranteed to laugh a little, learn a little, and leave with some great ideas!

10/25/25    

9:00a.m.-10:00a.m.   Conference (free admission)

10:00a.m. -1:00p.m.  Order pick-up and shopping

Bulbs can be ordered online from October 13-October 22 on our webstore found at: https://txmgsc.org/b2b

Roxanne Terrell, Smith County Master Gardener

The Smith County Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization in connection with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service.