Botanical name: Gladiolus dalenii
The name gladiolus is derived from the Latin word gladius, meaning sword, for the shape of its leaves. An ancient name for the gladiolus was xiphium, from the Greek word xiphos, also meaning sword. The gladiolus flower is the birth flower for August; it also represented the Roman gladiators. Gladiolus are native to the mountains of South America. They are widely grown in India. Gladiolus are easy to grow, and are the favourite flowers in India for bouquets, hence their popularity. Blossoms come in a wide range of colors and bicolors, including blue. The blossoms will open from the bottom first. Harvest spikes of Gladiolus just before the top blossoms open. The top blossoms will open indoors. This is one of my favourites in garden, which i maintained a variety of colours in my home garden during my stay at Bangalore, few years ago. Now also wherever and whenever i see them, it gives me immense joy and happiness and knowingly or unknowingly it inspires me. This photograph was taken on 1st October, 2011 at the Mysore Dussehra exhibitions.
