Are our Byzantine gladiolus really worth $13.50 each, when some of our competitors offer them for less than a quarter? Our own Denise Lynn couldn’t quite believe it, so she decided to see for herself. She writes:

      Last fall, one of our more gullible, adventurous, and fiscally responsible staff members finally succumbed to the siren song of the “Cheap Byzantine Glad.” She ordered 25 corms for $5.75 from one of our best-known competitors, planted them as instructed, and waited hopefully.

      What emerged from the soil this spring was surprising, even shocking. Whereas our Byzantine glad had robust, elegant blooms that were the colors of a cancan dancer’s skirts at the Moulin Rouge, the competitor’s glad was, well, pitiful. If it had been a stray cat or dog it would have been scooped up immediately and caressed as a scrawny little runt. But as a garden flower? Rolling fields of these pale little things could not begin to compare to the beauty, grace, vibrancy, and stature of our true Byzantine glad.

      They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but aside from the name, this inexpensive little flower is no imitation or replacement for the original that we sell. In fact, you might be tempted to call it a rip-off. We’re not sure what our competitor’s glad even is, but after my little experiment we are prouder than ever of our true Byzantine jewel.