I’m in clay soil also, but I have had gladioli repeat for three years in another bed. Dug up the grass, put in mp compost, and it’s alongside a path so slightly different to the current location.
We have heavy clay soil here, so I built raised beds when I moved in. I have a couple of borders which are more or less 'ground' level though, and everything has been amended as much as possible with manure and compost etc, to make it as well drained as possible. I can't control what falls out the sky though, and that's what matters. One bed is in the driest, most sheltered, sunniest part of the garden, up against the house, but the winter weather means I can't leave anything less than 100% hardy in it. Verbena bonariensis often don't survive - even in that bed. If I was going to put them anywhere, it's there. I left Acidantheras out one year to see if they could possibly cope, but they didn't. I often lose any daffs too, if they aren't the most robust varieties. My sister gave me some for my 60th birthday, as they referenced my name, and I've lost quite a few of those as they just can't cope. Such is life
Aw sorry to hear. Yes the combo of British weather and clay soil really don't make it easy! I am too digging in as much as composted bark to alleviate the clay soil as possible. I can only try and make a better decision next year
2 years gone by one - update: My gladioli have come up and repeated well, maybe 5-9 out of 15 depending on the variety. I am very pleased with their performance!
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My gladioli have come up and repeated well, maybe 5-9 out of 15 depending on the variety. I am very pleased with their performance!