'Extinct' Gladiolus found on Isle of Man

Tuesday, August 25 2009 17:28:30 by Editor

A variety of Gladioli that was thought to be extinct has been found growing on the Isle of Man, it has been revealed.

According to a report by the BBC, green fingered Edward Huyton has been looking after the rare flower in his home garden in Andreas for a number of years.

He discovered how rare the plant was while attending a lecture by a botanist regarding rare and endangered species.

My Huyton told the BBC: "I was fortunate to still have it and we are looking to plant them in National Trust gardens so we can see more of them."

A selection of the newly discovered flowers have been given to the Gladiolus Society and the National Trust so the species can be re-introduced around Britain.

The Gladiolus Society was founded in the UK in 1926 and it works towards increasing the popularity of the plants as well as help to preserve, cultivate and exhibit different varieties of Gladioli.