Flower ID

[StarlitTrees]

I planted some bulbs a few months back and they're now starting to bloom and look amazing.
I can't remember what they were though. Anyone know? And will these come back up next year? What should I do with them once they've finished flowering?
Thanks.

Is it some kind of campanula or gladioli?

Yes! Gladioli thats what they are, thank you!
They really look lovely. I've only got 3 flowering so far, 2 purple and 1 red. I'm looking forward to what other colours emerge. Theyve really make a big impact in my garden, I've not got much colour at the minute so these are very welcome!

They're gorgeous! Very striking colour. Hope the last a while.

Gladioli! We are still waiting for ours to bloom!

Lovely, yours are doing do well mine are also not in bloom yet. My gladiolus are the same purple are are called 'purple mate's. I always mean to plant more gladiolus each year then miss the time when the corms are in stock. They are so beautiful.

Will they come up again next year or are they a one off?

Gladioli corms (like a small bulb) need to be lifted in autumn before the frosts as they aren’t totally hardy. They can be wrapped in paper and stored somewhere cool, such as a shed or garage, and planted out in spring.

That's interesting I didn't know that Nan so just leave mine and they've still come up every year (planted about 5 years ago). I do mulch them heavily though in Autumn, maybe that helps.

I think whether they will get through the winter depends on your soil and weather conditions - my garden is quite heavy clay (despite many years of improving it) and in a wet winter bulbs tend to rot to mush in the cold, soggy soil.

Gorgeous!

Should I cut them right down before removing them?

Cut off the flower spikes when they are finished (save the plant's energy that it would waste on creating seeds) but leave the leaves there, and water with plant food (tomato feed is best) in, at least once a week until the leaves start to die back. While the leaves are green, the plant is busily building up a food supply to store inside the corm. This will help with flowering well next year.

When the leaves have turned brown/yellow, lift them before the first frosts if you are going to (they are half hardy, so can cope with mild frosts if soil is free draining). If your soil is sandy, you might risk leaving them in and mulch over the top for extra protection.

When you've lifted them, cut off the leaves, clean off loose soil, trim off the old roots and pop the corms somewhere to dry for a day or so. Then you can store them in a paper bag or net bag until spring. If any look a bit dodgy, like mouldy or squishy, chuck them out so the others don't get infected.