Gladiolus.  What a pretty flower that gets a bad rap because it is used a lot in funeral work.  Talk about bang for your buck though! 

It grows in almost every color you can think of, with a nice thick stem so it will stand very tall and present lots of color. 

Growing habits. If you want to try it in your own yard, check the planting zones and go for it.  Gladioli are perennials so you will have a beautiful flower every year.  It is a member of the iris family so it grows similarly with several stalks arising from the same corm (tuber/root like) with two large “leaves” on either side.  The spike can grow over 3 feet easily with flowers just on one side of the stalk.

Easily purchased at the local store and cut on the diagonal and plopped into a tall vase for a great centerpiece or buffet piece.

Bloomin' Thyme Design:  Gladioli blooms arranged into a beautiful little bouquet. 

 Bloomin' Thyme Design: Gladioli dropped into a vase for a buffet piece

Altar piece with all glads

Fun and contemporary twist with orchids, tropical leaves and glads.