Stunning Gladiolus Companion Plants That Will Make Your Garden Pop

Gladiolus are stunning flowers that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. With their tall spikes of colorful blooms, they're sure to turn heads. But did you know that gladiolus can also benefit from having companion plants?

Companion planting is a gardening practice of planting different types of plants together for mutual benefit. When you choose the right companion plants for your gladiolus, you can help to improve their growth, health, and appearance.

In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best companion plants for gladiolus. We'll also provide some tips on how to plant and care for these plants together.

What are Companion Plants?

Companion plants are plants that benefit each other when grown together. They can do this in a number of ways, such as:

• Attracting pollinators: Some companion plants attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. These pollinators can help to pollinate your gladiolus flowers, which will lead to more blooms.
• Reducing pests and diseases: Some companion plants can help to repel pests and diseases. For example, marigolds are known to repel nematodes, which can be a problem for gladiolus.
• Improving soil quality: Some companion plants can help to improve the soil quality around your gladiolus plants. This can lead to healthier plants and more blooms.

Best Companion Plants for Gladiolus

There are many different companion plants that can benefit gladiolus. Some of the best include:

• Zinnias: Zinnias are brightly colored flowers that attract pollinators. They also help to deter pests and diseases.
• Dahlias: Dahlias are another type of tall flower that looks great planted with gladiolus. They also have similar growing requirements, so they're a good choice for companion planting.
• Sunflowers: Sunflowers are tall and sunny flowers that can add a touch of drama to your garden. They also help to attract pollinators.
• Asters: Asters are colorful flowers that bloom in the fall. They're a good choice for companion planting with gladiolus if you want to extend your garden's bloom time.
• Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant herb that can help to repel pests and diseases. It also looks great planted with gladiolus.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another herb that can help to repel pests and diseases. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can choose ones that complement your gladiolus flowers.
• Cosmos: Cosmos are delicate flowers that add a touch of whimsy to your garden. They're also relatively low-maintenance, so they're a good choice for companion planting with gladiolus.
• Coneflowers: Coneflowers are tall and sturdy flowers that can add structure to your garden. They also attract pollinators.

How to Plant and Care for Gladiolus and Companion Plants

When planting gladiolus and companion plants together, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind:

• Plant them in full sun. Gladiolus and most companion plants need full sun in order to thrive.
• Plant them in well-drained soil. Gladiolus are susceptible to root rot, so it's important to plant them in soil that drains well.
• Water them regularly. Gladiolus need regular watering, especially during the growing season.
• Fertilize them every few weeks. Gladiolus benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced fertilizer that is high in phosphorus.
• Deadhead spent blooms. Deadheading spent blooms will help to encourage more blooms.
• Protect them from pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them promptly if they occur.

If you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to growing beautiful gladiolus and companion plants together.

FAQ of gladioli companion plants

• What are the best companion plants for gladiolus?

Some good flowering companion plants for gladiolus include:

* Zinnias
* Dahlias
* Sunflowers
* Cleome
* Cosmos

These plants all have similar growing conditions to gladiolus, so they will thrive in the same type of soil and sunlight. They will also help to attract pollinators to your garden, which will help to keep your gladiolus plants healthy and productive.

• What plants should I avoid planting near gladiolus?

There are a few plants that you should avoid planting near gladiolus, as they can compete with them for water and nutrients. These plants include:

* Potatoes
* Tomatoes
* Eggplants
* Cucumbers
* Melons

These plants are all heavy feeders, so they can quickly deplete the soil of nutrients that gladiolus need to thrive. If you must plant any of these plants near your gladiolus, be sure to space them out well and give them plenty of water.

• When should I plant companion plants with gladiolus?

You can plant companion plants with gladiolus at the same time that you plant the gladiolus corms. This will give the companion plants a chance to get established before the gladiolus start to grow tall.

• How far apart should I plant companion plants with gladiolus?

The distance that you should plant companion plants with gladiolus will depend on the size of the plants. For smaller plants, such as zinnias or cosmos, you can plant them about 6 inches apart. For larger plants, such as sunflowers or dahlias, you should plant them about 12 inches apart.

• How do I care for companion plants with gladiolus?

The care that you need to give your companion plants will depend on the type of plants that you choose. However, in general, you should water your companion plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. You should also fertilize your companion plants every few weeks, using a balanced fertilizer.

Image of gladioli companion plants

5 different images of gladiolus companion plants from Pinterest:

1. Zinnia. Zinnias are annuals that come in a wide variety of colors, and they make great companion plants for gladiolus because they have similar growing requirements. They both need full sun and well-drained soil. Zinnias also bloom at the same time as gladiolus, so they can add a splash of color to your garden for a long period of time.
2. Dahlias. Dahlias are another great choice for companion plants for gladiolus. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they can add height and drama to your garden. Dahlias also need full sun and well-drained soil, so they can thrive alongside gladiolus.
3. Sunflowers. Sunflowers are tall, sunny flowers that can add a touch of whimsy to your garden. They also need full sun and well-drained soil, so they can make good companions for gladiolus.
4. Asters. Asters are another type of annual that comes in a variety of colors. They are known for their daisy-like flowers and their long blooming period. Asters need full sun and well-drained soil, so they can be planted alongside gladiolus.
5. Lilies. Lilies are a type of bulb that comes in a variety of colors and sizes. They are known for their fragrant flowers and their long blooming period. Lilies need full sun and well-drained soil, so they can be planted alongside gladiolus.

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