GLADIOLAS

Gladiolas actually belong to the Iris family. In their present form, they were first shown in Belgium in 1839. Other hybrids introduced in 1890 became the parents for the many garden varieties we are familiar with. Since 1900, breeders from many parts of the United States as well as Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia have been responsible for evolving the modern Gladiolas. The flower is native to Africa, western Asia, and the Mediterranean region.