Description

Gladiolus Extravert is a high-impact summer variety with vibrant hot-pink to magenta petals offset by a bold yellow centre, giving each floret a striking two-tone contrast that reads strongly across a border. The petals carry a modern, tropical intensity — bright enough to cut through dull weather, perfect for statement planting, colour-themed borders, show gardens, hotel displays, event beds and cut-flower production. When grown in groups, the tall flower spikes produce weeks of colour as buds open sequentially from base to tip, making it a reliable mid to late-summer performer in Irish gardens. Plant in full sun and freely drained, fertile soil, ideally with staking or a sheltered position to keep stems upright. Excellent as a cut flower, delivering long stems, strong vase life and vivid colour presence in floral arrangements. While gladioli arent the easiest access point for small bees, larger pollinators and butterflies will feed as each floret opens, especially when planted alongside pollinator-rich support species like Salvia, Verbena bonariensis, Scabiosa, Orlaya and single dahlias. Use as the vertical accent in biodiversity-aware borders, adding structure while companion species provide nectar flow. Ideal for cutting patches, commercial floristry beds, wedding/event planting, summer borders, estate gardens and public seasonal schemes. Lift corms in winter to store and replant, or mulch deeply in mild sites with good drainage.