I purchased the bulbs as Peacock Orchid (Gladiolus murielae) this spring at a Big Box store. Given that it is between 4-5 feet tall I'm wondering if what I have is Gladiola (Gladiolus aequinoctialis). All sources I've found note G. murielae as being either 1-2 feet or 2-3 feet tall. This description, paragraph two, notes G. aequinoctialus being taller.
http://wimastergardener.org/?q... The photo with a yardstick was taken 2 October.

Hi Evan,

While reading up on some things, I ran across this listing that states G aequinoctialis, from western Africa, achieves a height of one foot, but does list some subspecies from Cameroon and other areas.

http://e-monocot.org/taxon/urn...

Thanks Jean.

Well one things for sure,......You already knew the pictures were spectacular!

Thanks David. Such nice bloomers. Some combination of cold, wind and rain knocked most of the stalks down. They're now happily blooming away on the kitchen table.

John Bryan describes Gladiolus aequinoctialis fl.- 'white, purple vein on lower segments' from Sierra Leone and Cameroon'

He describes the Abyssinian Gladiolus (G. murielae) fl. thusly - 'w/ distinct purple spot at base of segments' (from Ethiopia,Tanzania, Malawi, & Mozambique.

Sounds similar but one says vein, the other spot.

Evan, I grow these too. Mine didn't reach their listed height until their 2nd year here.

Thanks @jmorth, that seems to eliminate G. aequinoctialis as well. How tall do yours get? How about yours @joy, Is the height I'm seeing not uncommon?

Mine usually reach about 36" tall, though I've never actually measured.

Evan, All I know is mine started out quite short last year, probably less than 2'. This year they are easily 4' tall. Mine are growing in a large container, if that makes a difference.

Thanks Joy and J. Maybe they just grow taller than the lit. would seem to indicate.