Gladiolus dalenii

is one of a number of plant species which are presently being tested for their suitability to be grown as Green Roof plants in the Durban region that have initially shown good results. They all occur naturally within a radius of 50 km of the Durban city centre

Gladiolus dalenii are an extremly common plant found growing throughout Durban area often in disturbed areas and cultivated lands.

Growth habit
An upright growing geophyte. The strap like leaves followed by the flowers emerge during the growing season from an underground corm.

Propagation
Gladiolus dalenii is very easily propagated from numerous cormlets which develop from the base of the main corm as well as from seed.

Decorative value
These plants are being grown for their very attractive flowers.

Drought resistance
Although these plants are not particularily drought resistant they have done well on the deeper soils probably due to the fact that there is plenty of rain during their sort growing period. Once they have flowered and produced seed the above ground portions of the plant die back leaving the corm deep in the soil where it requires little or no water until the following growth period

Disease and pest resistance
Thrips can be a problem

Suitability as Green Roof plants
These plants are valuable feature plants in green roof plantings where the soil depth is in excess of 75 mm. One of the factors that has made them suitable as a green roof plant is that their vegetative period corresponds with the rainy season and their dormant period with the dry season in Durban.

Biodiversity value in the Green Roof landscape
All plants that will grow successfully on a green roof have biodiversity value.

Cautions and precautions in the Green Roof application
No particular precautions known.