Beginning in the 1800s, the Gladiolus became wildy popular. Gardeners in England used hybridizing techniques that gave rise to the 400 and more varieites today. The Gladiolus's ancestral home belongs to the Cape of Good Hope. Nicknamed the 'Sword Lily', it use to be represented by Roman gladiators. An ancient name for the gladiolus was "xiphium," from the Greek word xiphos, also meaning sword. African gladioli were imported in large amounts to Europe from South Africa during the mid to late 18th century. …
