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Key characteristics

Family: Iridaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 1 to 2 feet
Flower color: Deep pink to ruby red with darker streaks
Foliage color: Narrow, sword-like green leaves
Bloom time: Mid-summer to late summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; may need staking due to height
Growing zone: USDA zones 7 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Perennials

Gladiolus papilio 'Ruby'

Ruby Sword Lily

Gladiolus papilio 'Ruby' is an elegant perennial known for its deep ruby-red flowers with a velvety texture. Blooming in mid to late summer, the trumpet-shaped flowers appear on tall, slender spikes, creating a bold and dramatic display. Each flower has a soft, ruffled edge and a subtle shimmer, adding a touch of luxury to the garden.

Native to South Africa, Gladiolus papilio is prized for its adaptability and showy blooms.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid-summer to late summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Hummingbird Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines

Design tip

The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.