18 - Friday, August 12, 1988 - North Shore News lorious fror ANCIENT ROMAN wall paint- ings depicting gladiolus flowers at- test to this flower's long popu- larity. In fact, the name is derived from gladius, the Latin word meaning sword; this same root gives us gladiator or sword fighter and refers toa the shape of the leaves. The hybrid varieties we know by that name today bear little resemblance to their forbears. In fact, the process of breeding new and improved gladioli has been go- ing on for so long, the history of many of the crossings has been lost. In many cases, we do not know which cultivars are included in a particular lineage. However, we do know that our garden hybrids have many South African species in their make-up. The first specimens from that region reached northern Europe about the end of the 18th century. At that time they met with little interest but, once cross-breeding began to bear unusual — even fan- tastic-looking -— forms, the gladiolus rapidly gained popu- larity. The giadioli genus comprises 250 different species, a few of which can still be found growing in southern Europe. Some examples are G. communis, G. italicus and G. palustris, which occasionally are found in bloom by lucky tourists. STUDIO i (Sofa Bed) Unlike the botanical species, which sometimes have only six flowers per stalk (e.g. G. italicus), hybrid gladioli bear flowers set fairly close together. Modern varieties flower in a wide array of colors and often grow to more than a metre (about 3 ft.). In the garden, they generally flower from July through September. Although the gladioli supply peaks during the summer months. they are available in quantity from April through October. The surge in production has been prompted by their popularity as cut-flowers, due to long vase life. Gladioli keep well in water for about 10 days. They need a clean vase and cut-flower food in the water. Remember to make an oblique cut at the bottom of the stem, removing about I cm (% in.) The best time to buy cut gladioli is when the bottom-most flower on the stem has just opened. Good quality is shown by a straight stem covered with flower buds at the top. By regularly removing the withered flowers from the spike — always those at the bottom — the whole stalk of blooms will even- tually develop. Several varieties are available — large-flowered, small-flowered and butterfly. However, about 75 per cent of the demand is for large- flowered gladioli. Complete with 5” Futon With Foam Core over and pillows extra STUDIO COUCH (Sofa Bed) {Complete with 6” Futon ONLY “179 DAVENPORT DOUBLE (Sofa Bed) ONLY Complete with Regular 6” Futon Also available in clear lacquer finish. Cover and pillow extra. ‘219 STUDIO iit (3 Positions—Couch, Chaise Lounge, Bed) & Also available in clear HM iacquer finish. Complete with 6” Futon. 4 Designer cover era WEST END 1 1655 ROBSON ST. 681-8499 HOW AT 2 LOCATIONS wm .- 3 Some of the best known are Peter Pears, apricot-salmon shading to a deeper throat; Blue Heaven, raffled medium blue with a white throat and Scarlet Ruffles, an All-American) Award Winner with ruffled scarlet florets and a golden throat. Among the most popular small- flowered gladioli are Irish Linen, heavily ruffled, translucent green florets; Arrows, white ‘saucers’ of bloom on tall, arrow-like spikes, and Coral Seas, distinctively ruffl- ed, unique shade of coral-pink. Rounding out the gladiolus fam- ily are the butterfly varieties whose flowers have folded petals. In size they place between the large and small-flowered varieties. Gladioli grow from corms which are rather flat and are surrounded by a loose, fine skin. New corms grow on the old ones — one or two predominate —- surrounded by many smaller ones called cormels. The latter will produce flowers after at least two years of cultiva- tion. The tall varieties, especially, need to be staked. They are easy to grow and give you a glorious supply of flowers from your own garden through the summer. If you don’t have gladiolus in your garden this summer, plan on including them next year. In the meantime, enjoy them as cut flowers while the supply is plentiful. KITSILANO 2128 W.4TH AVES 731-8226 ff srs yrewomnp rarer ante rer SERIES 50 A visual concept so unique that we have taken out a design patent for it. radiate ont on substantial polished brass or tickel rods creating the extraordinary conser Lert WALL MOUNTED CEILING MOUNTED BURNABY NORTH VANCOUVER 4790 £. HASTINGS 1400 MARINE DRIVE Cnr. of Hastings & Beta 984-0341 Phone 294-5256 SURREY 14625-108th AVE. 4 blks. north of Guildford Phone 585-8877