Gladiolus is the largest genus in the Iridaceae family with around 255 species. They are perennial bulbous flowering plants, sometimes called Sword lilies, but usually by its generic name, Gladiolus. It has been studied by taxonomists and now includes the genera Acidanthera, Homoglossum, Anomalesia and Oenostachys. The geographic range includes Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and the Middle East. They are treasured the world over for their beautiful, showy flowers which grow on tall spikes. These plants are often planted in cut flower gardens or in the back along the border, as they grow 60cm to 1.8 m tall. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily grown in raised garden beds and rockeries. Most Gladioli do equally well in pots. Gladioli are the flowers associated with a fortieth wedding anniversary.

Gladiolus saundersii is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. It was previously known as Gladiolus cruentus sensu and Gladiolus spectabilis. It is commonly known as Lesotho Lily as its natural distribution also includes Lesotho. This summer growing species grows to 90cm tall. From summer to autumn it bears large scarlet, bright vermilion or salmon-red flowers with the lower half of the three lower lobes being white.