Gladiolus carinatus hybrid?

[Maggi Young]

Friends, a question sent to me for posting by Betty Clark... who can help her with  more info on this Gladiolus?

Betty writes:
"I have a Gladiola that wasbought at least 50 years years ago from Harrisons in Nz  and I know of no other Glad that flowers at Xmas or just before. It has curved leaves like carminius and from all my reading I have found that it is a cross with carinatus and goes under the name of Rouges.     It has curved flower tubes, no white in throat, just a darker blotch.   
 Can any one help me with this.                     
 It is  wonderful specimen.        Help! "

 Betty Clark in Ashburton, New Zealand

[David Nicholson]

I wonder if Ashburton in New Zealand was originally settled by people from Ashburton in Devon, just up the road from me? Can't help with the query though.

[Lesley Cox]

I shouldn't be surprised David. I spent my married life there, so know it well.

Sorry Betty, I can't give you anything more about your gladiolus either. It sounds nice and would be good to have it at Christmas. My mother who bought from Harrisons all her adult life, kept every catalogue she ever had but my father disposed of the lot - and much else - within 48 hours of her death.