Gladiolus papilio (Butterfly sword lily)

Botanical name

Gladiolus papilio

Other names

Butterfly sword lily, Gladiolus purpureoauratus

Genus

Gladiolus Gladiolus

Species

G. papilio - G. papilio is a borderline-hardy, clump-forming, narrowly upright, cormous perennial with sword-shaped, grey-green leaves and, from summer into autumn, arching stems bearing hooded, funnel- or bell-shaped, white-flushed, lilac or yellow flowers with purple and yellow inner markings.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Arching

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Colour

Flower

Crimson in Summer; Crimson in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails , Thrips , Aphids

Specific diseases

Gladiolus corm rot , Grey mould

General care

Pruning

Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.

Propagation methods

Offsets

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Gladiolus papilio (Butterfly sword lily) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Greenhouse

Cultivation

Plant 10 to 16cm deep on sharp sand in fertile, well-drained soil. Lift when foliage dies back, discard old corms, and store new corms in a dry, frost-free place to replant in spring. In milder areas, protect with a thick, dry winter mulch.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Gladiolus papilio (Butterfly sword lily)

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 papilio (Butterfly sword lily)

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 papilio (Butterfly sword lily)

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/