Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' (Sword lily 'Blue Tropic')

Botanical name

Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic'

Other names

Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Blue Tropic', Large-flowered gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' , Sword lily 'Blue Tropic'

Genus

Gladiolus Gladiolus

Variety or Cultivar

'Blue Tropic' _ 'Blue Tropic' is a cormous perennial with dainty, loose, strap-shaped leaves and large, blue-violet flowers on tall stems in summer. Flowers are fragrant and attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

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Colour

Flower

Blue in Summer

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Slugs , Snails , Thrips

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Gladiolus corm rot

General care

Pruning

No pruning required.

Propagation methods

Offsets

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' (Sword lily 'Blue Tropic') will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Plant 10 to 16cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil (on sharp sand). As tender, lift when foliage dies back, discard old corms and store new corms in a dry frost-free place to re-plant in the spring. In milder areas a thick dry winter mulch may be enough.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' (Sword lily 'Blue Tropic')

Common pest name

Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid

Scientific pest name

Ostrinia nubilalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' (Sword lily 'Blue Tropic')

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Gladiolus 'Blue Tropic' (Sword lily 'Blue Tropic')

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/