Did you know that the Gladiolus stem base (corm) was used as a bandage to extract thorns & splinters by the English? Its corm though is actually not a ‘bulb’ which distinguishes this perennial flower from others. Corms (not to be mistaken for "corn") were also used to soothe colicky babies by making it into a powder & mixing it with goat’s milk. Today we use tweezers & have pediatricians so we can simply adore the Gladiolus for its beauty.

You may hear a Gladiolus being called a "sword lily.” This is due to its leaf shape. A scientist in ancient Rome thought it resembled a gladiator sword & named it after the word ‘gladius” which means "little sword" in Latin.

It has also been coined "corn lily." I’m not sure why, especially the “lily” part with either name since it’s not in relation to a lily. Maybe the corn part because they can grow up to 5 feet tall, are stalky & kind of look like corn before they bloom. They look more like wheat to me during that time. Gladiolus has more of an appealing ring to call a flower, eminently for the joy they bring to our lives with their beauty.

Speaking of joyful emotions, if there’s a special someone you want to express your infatuation to, send a bundle of Gladioluses. They can also symbolize faithfulness, honor, strength in character and remembrance.

This one in particular was given as a wedding gift to a family member. The newlywed couple loved it so much that they had their living room decorated around this 18” x 24” art piece titled “God’s Glad.” It will be monumental on their 40th anniversary being it's often celebrated with Gladioluses. This particular artwork was quite the challenge as it is difficult to achieve a transparent look on a scratchboard. A proud piece for sure.