Gladiolus

This gladiolus is perennial: it flowers every year without needing any special attention.

The gladiolus comes principally from South Africa, where about fifty species have been discovered.

Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.