Gladiolus liliaceus Brown afrikaner, ribbokblom

Indigenous; 50cm
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 sandy soil. Watch out for botrytis, thrips and virus infections.
Propagate from division of cormlets after flowering.

Its spring flowers are perfumed at night and creamy, striped brown, with a centre stripe of purple.