Yes Rob...Glads is a short term for Gladiolas! There is no such thing as a silly question!

Yes, we have shifted to glads. I have one test bulb near the granite block foundation on the sunny, southeast side of my house. I am trying to bump that and a few Dutch iris bulbs to a zone 6. But see, since I found someone with glads that grow in Michigan, I figured those would grow in my zone 5.

I'm zone 6a-well most of the time. Last year we had below zero weather for many days and my glads did not come back, but for years before this they have. And they always look nice and full, not spindly.

Linnea, I would give them a try. Mine were right out in the open, not sheltered. By the way Atom glad is very hardy.

I'll probably be thinning out my gladiola patches after the foliage dies down in a couple months if anyone wants some corms...

Awesome. Would love more. That top picture is fantastic!

but like both pictures.

Dunno if I would dare grow California corms...at least not over the winter.

I can get 10 Atom for $3.95, free shipping from bulbsdirect.com

Wow.

Sherry, If there any left I would love to have some corms. I have never grown Glads...but keep thinking they would be great at the back of the planters. The first one is stunning, but they are both beautiful!

Sherry, if there are any left, I would love some too!

Ok.. anyone wanting any, remind me around the end of December.... I put it on my calendar, but that means I'll have to actually look at it to see the reminder... sigh. I remember having a memory......

Hi all. I saw an interesting gardening photo recently with a mix of iris and alliums.
I've ordered some giant alliums in blue and white and pink to tower over the irises a bit
and add some architectural interest. We'll see how that works out. Can't wait for Spring!

I love the look of Alliums! I need to try them again...it may be too hot here, but I'd like to see if I can find any that are more heat tolerant. Be sure to share pictures next spring!

It seems that other people grow them and the are in bloom at the same time as the irises, but mine seem to bloom and are pretty dumpy by the time the iris bloom. I might have to try a different cultivar of them.

Annie's Annuals is having a 25% sale until Oct. 12th.

I have some of the smaller alliums and they do throw seeds and I always end up with more each year.

Plain old chives make pretty purple flowers and do very well in a sunny, dry, hot spot in the front of my house.

Most of the smaller Alliums are kind of weedy here. Chives too. The biggest one I have is the drumstick allium, but it's the opposite of the smaller ones and is a bit wimpy...

I put an order in w/ Scheepers for Allium 'Gladiator'.. We'll see how it performs...
Also some Iris reticulata, bucharica and some Dutch Iris. Maybe the gophers won't get them this time.

Sherry how does the giant allium do for you? I have never tried them but do love the pics in catalogs.

Teresa, I've got 'Gladiator' on order... I tried one of the big ones years ago, and can't remember if it pooped out, or I moved.. I *think* it pooped out... It might have been when I was living in a warmer, relatively frost free-zone on the SF Bay.
I think they might be marginal here, but I'm willing to try again... They're listed as maximum zone 8. I'm 9b. Practicing zonal denial again (and again)...