Anyone?????

Beth,

I did some checking, and it looks like Gladiolus Callanthus (Acidanthera) is only able to overwinter outdoors to zone 7 (possibly 6b with heavy mulch). However, I am told that it flowers better and lives longer if it is dug and divided yearly no matter what zone you're in, which could be the reason your previous stock died if you didn't divide it.

But do replace them! They are wonderful flowers, and I think the extra digging is worth it.

Hope this helps!

--Joe

I dig here in z6 (although saw some pips survive the mild winter we had the winter before last). In my experience they store pretty easy...that is if some critter doesnt find them - it ate every one of the 40 or so I had! Anyway, I bought many more this year. They areally are fairly cheap and could almost justifiably be treated like an annual. I agree they are wonderful and even if they dont bloom their foliage is grass or reed like and interesting on its own.

They are the least hardy of the glads.BUT are worth growing.I boought 2 new bags this year.Mine did not bloom last year,but got the foliage.so will see how it goes this time& removed 5 of the old batch to one of my containers with arrowroot& crinuim& some claduim bulbs a neighbor gave me.I like them cause they are fragrant and bloom in late summer for me(mid October)Our winters are useually wet.so I wondered if that was why they didn't bloom,but maybe they just fizzeled out.They are 3-4 years old now.