Acidanthera murielae is also known as, wait for it, Abyssinian Gladiolus, Sword Lily, Peacock Lily, Gladiolus murielae or callianthus. I bought my acidanthera corms (they are not technically bulbs which have layers like an onion) online a couple of years ago, in 2023, and that first year I planted them in a pot but, although I did get a flower on a tall stem that year, the leaves kept folding and drooping. It was very disappointing. I grew them again in a pot last year, placing the pot in a different and even more sheltered position, and yet the same thing happened with the leaves and that time no flowers. Never one to give in easily, this year I have planted the bulbs in a sunny garden border at the top of my garden's slight slope but somewhat protected by the side of the garden room facing north and away from the wind. Success at last. If at first you don't succeed...
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| Acidanthera aka Abyssinian gladioli |
I plant the corms when the danger of a hard frost has passed here in West Yorkshire, England. As you can see, the flowers are quite large and really beautiful. Now, having planted the acidanthera corms this time in a sheltered border the leaves are stronger, more upright, and flower production is greater. This could be, to some degree, because the corms are now older but whatever the reason, I am happy to see them. Note: Acidanthera plants are not hardy and so I will be drying off the corms and storing them indoors over winter.
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| Acidanthera aka Abyssinian gladioli |
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| Acidanthera aka Abyssinian gladioli |
In the photo of my garden below, you can see the acidanthera leaves at the side of the garden room.
