Gladiolus alatus Kalkoentjie, Little turkey

Indigenous; 20cm
Planting position: Full sun or semi-shade. Ideal for areas with high winter rainfalls. Regions without severe heat, drought or humidity.
Requires regular winter watering, but kept dry during summer. Well-composted, well-draining soil. Watch out for botrytis, thrips and virus infections.
Propagate from division of cormlets a month and a half after flowering.

This beauty grows wild in the W. Cape and bears pink, prominently veined spring flowers, grouped on flower spikes.