{"product_id":"gladiolus-shaka-zulu-dark-purple-gladiolus-bulbs-tall-sword-lily-dramatic-cut-flower-summer-blooming-perennial-gothic-garden-plant","title":"Gladiolus 'Shaka Zulu' Dark Purple Gladiolus Bulbs | Tall Sword Lily Perennial | Summer Blooming Cut Flower","description":"\u003cp\u003eMake a bold statement in your garden with \u003cstrong\u003eGladiolus 'Shaka Zulu'\u003c\/strong\u003e, a striking variety prized for its deep, velvety purple blooms that appear nearly black in certain lighting. This dramatic Sword Lily produces tall flower spikes packed with richly colored blossoms, creating stunning contrast in garden beds, borders, and floral arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlooming from mid to late summer, 'Shaka Zulu' delivers exceptional garden performance with strong stems, long-lasting flowers, and impressive height. Its dark blooms pair beautifully with white, pink, yellow, and silver-toned flowers, making it a favorite for cottage gardens, pollinator landscapes, moon gardens, and cut flower production.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn excellent choice for gardeners looking to add depth, elegance, and dramatic color to their summer displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep purple blooms with near-black appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTall flower spikes create dramatic vertical interest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent cut flower with long vase life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttracts butterflies and pollinators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrives in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy-to-grow summer flowering bulb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect focal point for garden borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePopular in dramatic floral arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eGladiolus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Shaka Zulu'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark Sword Lily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial Bulb (Corm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep Purple to Near Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48–60 Inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–12 Inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright Clumping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid to Late Summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Average\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-Drained Soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–10 (Lift corms in colder zones)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pollinator Friendly, Excellent Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Long Blooming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGarden Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCut flower gardens\u003cbr\u003eGothic and dark-themed gardens\u003cbr\u003eCottage gardens\u003cbr\u003eMixed perennial borders\u003cbr\u003ePollinator gardens\u003cbr\u003eMass plantings\u003cbr\u003eBack-of-border focal points\u003cbr\u003eFloral design and bouquet production\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCreate stunning contrast by pairing 'Shaka Zulu' with:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite Prosperity Gladiolus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEchinacea ‘White Swan’\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShasta Daisy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLavender\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalvia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYarrow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrnamental Grasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilver Artemisia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese companions highlight the rich dark blooms and provide season-long interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant corms in spring after danger of frost has passed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace corms 4–6 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrow in full sun for best flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater regularly during active growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStake if planted in windy locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeadhead spent flowers to maintain appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow foliage to mature naturally after flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLift corms before winter in colder climates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor extended blooms, plant successive batches every 2 weeks through early summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eShipping Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePlant Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eShips as healthy bareroot corms ready for planting\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShipping Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrders begin shipping in MARCH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully packaged for safe delivery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree USPS Ground shipping on qualifying orders over $35\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeather-related shipping delays may occur to protect plant health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Guarantee\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe guarantee healthy bulbs upon arrival. If your order arrives damaged, contact us within 48 hours with photos of the plant and packaging for a replacement or refund.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plantingpartners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52499590316164,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1014\/5254\/6180\/files\/9.52-2026-05-29T215302.475.jpg?v=1783659515","url":"https:\/\/nataliesbotanicalgarden.com\/products\/gladiolus-shaka-zulu-dark-purple-gladiolus-bulbs-tall-sword-lily-dramatic-cut-flower-summer-blooming-perennial-gothic-garden-plant","provider":"Natalie's Botanical Garden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}