« Return to the heirloom listing

We have made a PDF of our 2010 catalog available for download, here, for anyone who's interested in a printable version. Print it double-sided and fold to see it exactly as it was sent out. Additionally, you may download our order form, here.

Note: All members of the North American Gladiolus Council or the Maine Gladiolus Society will receive 5% off their 2010 Cates Family Glads order. Please make note of your membership on your order form.

general listing
includes varieties introduced after 1985

To view the description and classification numbers of a variety, please hover on its name with your mouse pointer.

American DreamAmerican Dream (235 EM) This beautifully ruffled coral, salmon, and yellow gem has become a show-star!
Hartline, 2006
L: $2 or M: $1
Anna LeorahAnna Leorah (445 M) Somewhat like Lady Lucille in color and form. Anna Leorah will never compete with Lady Lucille at the shows, but sells very well to florists. It's hard to say why -- perhaps its pink shade is just a bit warmer.
Sprinkle, 1991
L or M: $1
BlackieBlackie (458 E) A tall, robust, deep burgundy with a small white throat mark. A popular florist arrangement variety. Photo available.
Frazee, 1995
L or M: $1
Black PearlsBlack Pearls (258 M) Picture a double string of glistening, black-red pearls. It's tall, opens eight in formal placement with ease. It competes very well in shows and tops the '09 symposium in its color class.
Labrum, 1997
L or M: $1
Brown StarBrown Star (298 EM) Good for both show and designing, this tall brown beauty has quickly taken its place among the top stars in its color class.
Mimranek, 2005
L or M: $1
Candy CaneCandy Cane (455 M) This AA variety doesn't show up on the list of show winners for 2009, but it would very likely top a list of People's Choice winners. Its appeal has to do with color -- medium red with splashes of white throughout. Photo available.
Fischer, 1992
L or M: $1.50
CavalryCavalry (454 M) A tall, bright, medium red. One of the really good red cut-flower varieties.
Klutey, 1993
L or M: $1
Century MarkCentury Mark (534 EM) Century Mark is an outstanding beauty! It is a tall, glistening salmon, very ruffled, opening up to eight. This gem has been overlooked by growers. A great sleeper variety! Photo available.
Labrum, 2002
L or M: $2
Dark StarDark Star (358 M) This tall beauty with excellent mechanics is one of the best black-red glads. A favorite here.
Schmidts, 1998
L or M: $2
DasherDasher (153 E) Orange-red and cream with a dark red splotch in the throat, Dasher is super-early and will add a dash of color to your early collection. Photo available.
Selinger, 1998
L or M: $1
Day's EndDay's End (291 M) This rose and tan novelty variety is very popular and a favorite of ours.
Ryznar, 1996
L or M: $1
DeannaDeanna (463 M) A uniquely beautiful rose-pink glad in shades varying from light to deep, with remarkable ruffling and substance. Deanna can open 12+ before fading.
Madeson, 2002
L: $1.50
DocDoc (400 LM) This is a pure white, ruffled show glad par excellence. For us, Doc has earned the reputation of being the overall best, most beautiful white cut-flower.
Jones, 1996
L or M: $1.50
Dorothy S.Dorothy S. (341 M) This novelty, developed in Maine, has doubled blossoms on a long, straight stem. Color is blush pink blending into a cream throat.
R. Martin, 2007
L or M: $2
ErebEreb (368 M) This ruffled black-rose beauty has the health and vigor to make it a designer's favorite. Photo available.
Konicek, 2001
L or M: $1.50
Frosty WhiteFrosty White (400 M) Tall, pure white, now a top commercial variety. Photo available.
Turk, 1998
L or M: $1
FudgeFudge (456 M) We bought Fudge from two growers. This can't be the 498 Fischer '86 introduction, but it is a great 456 red -- one of the very best we have.
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L or M: $1.50
GeminiGemini (237 EM) Rosy-salmon with a creamy throat surrounding a mahogany blotch, Gemini is very healthy, and good for show or cut. Photo available.
Selinger, 1999
L or M: $1.50
Great LakesGreat Lakes (484 LM) At the suggestion of the originator, we tried Great Lakes. This medium-blue, lightly ruffled, tall, healthy glad has really come into its own. It's great. Photo available.
Fischer-Madsen, 1999
L or M: $1.50
Green StarGreen Star (404 E) This variety has rapidly become a, maybe the leading green cut-flower. We still can't believe the florist demand for green glads.
Dykstra, 2002
L or M: $1.50
Green WoodpeckerGreen Woodpecker (304 M) We don't have a clue what this glad really is, except that it's a very satisfactory green glad. It was sent to us as Green Woodpecker, but doesn't have the red throat. If you don't mind nameless varieties, you'll like this glad. Photo available.
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L or M: $1.50
HolidayHoliday (425 M) This variety is salmon-orange with a cream-white throat, accentuated by a cherry-colored blotch. A sparkling late summer bloomer in shades which evoke the spirit of fall. Photo available.
Fischer-Madsen, 1999
L or M: $1
Honey GoldHoney Gold (416 M) Deep yellow, healthy, tall, lightly ruffled, opening 6-8, Honey Gold will likely be a leading cut-flower for years.
Fairchild, 1992
L or M: $1.50
JanusJanus (265 M) In bud, Janus is strange-looking, but fully open, it is classy! Basic color medium-dark rose with white stripes on each petal.
Hartline, 1989
L or M: $1.50
Jeannie RoseJeannie Rose (279 M) A nice, medium purple with deeper purple throat. An all-purpose glad which we have liked very much. You'll like it too! Photo available.
Walker, 1987
L or M: $1
JubileeJubilee (227 LM) Jubilee is a, maybe the late-midseason orange cut-flower. Attractive, healthy, and reliable.
Frazee, 1995
L: or M: $1
JuliaJulia (275 M) A clean, very lightly ruffled medium lavender-rose with a darker marking on a white throat blotch. Consistently opens 7-8 florets; strong show mechanics and appeall. A great stock allows for price reduction. Photo available.
Cates, 2009
L or M: $3
Lady LucilleLady Lucille (345 LM) People have run out of superlatives to describe Lady Lucille, a large, stately peach with white throat. It is still the top US show glad, and was voted all-time favorite in 2004.
Martin, 1996
L: $1.50
Lavender MasterpieceLavender Masterpiece (475 M) This medium lavender and rose beauty combines great show quality and cut-flower potential. Add to this a robust bulb health and you surely have a lavender masterpiece.
K+M, 1957
L: $1.50
Martha StewartMartha Stewart (300 LM) This heavily ruffled, pure white AA has excellent texture, opening power (8-10), and health. Great for show or cut.
Madeson, 2005
L: $2
Midnight MoonMidnight Moon (387 M) When I first saw this glad in 1994, with the deep blue of an angry sea and the creamy color of ocean foam, I would've named it "Sea Fever." Midnight Moon has a quality of beauty which transcends any given name. An annual sell-out, but we have adequate stock this year. Photo available.
Lull, 1995
L or M: $1.50
Miss BlueMiss Blue (383 E) This variety has been one of our best light blue cut-flowers ever since "Doc" Jones sent us some years ago, in a trade for heirloom bulbs. Nicely ruffled with a small, deep violet throat mark, this Ice Cap seedling has show quality from its parent. Photo available.
Jones 1992
L or M: $1.50
My RoseMy Rose (463 M) Heavily ruffled, a true beauty in rose and white. One spike makes a bouquet! Health and propagation both excellent.
Madeson, 2003
L or M: $1.50
Mystery OrangeMystery Orange (226 M) A very nice unknown variety with excellent health. Tall, good opener, show prospect. We like it and we think you will, too! Identify "Mystery Orange" and receive a $5 credit toward your 2011 bulb purchase!
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L or M: $1
New BrideNew Bride (300 EM) We ordered Maybride and got something else. "New Bride" has lily-like, pure white florets. It's very healthy, tall, and a popular florist glad.
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L or M: $1
Orchid LaceOrchid Lace (273 M) Florists love this "un-glad," a gently-hued little beauty in soft lavender and white. Voted #2 in US rating. Photo available.
Labrum, 1997
L or M: $1
PapagenoPapageno (465 LM) A sister seedling to Bates' The Clown; differs from that cultivar only in that its base color is rose, rather than salmon. In our tests, it's proven to be healthy and an excellent designer's glad. Photo available.
Bates, 2010
L or M: $4
PulchritudePulchritude (373 EM) A ruffled, medium lavender with a deeper throat blotch. It's no wonder that its name means beauty; Pulchritude is often the star of our late-summer Maine show. Photo available.
Klutey, 1992
L or M: $1
Purple HazePurple Haze (387 E) Why didn't we list this glad in 2009!? Here in Maine it's been dynamite for show or commercial sales. It's our best-selling cut in a most popular shade. Before its introduction, it took first place in the international British trials. Color and mechanics both outstanding.
Summerville, 2003
L or M: $2
RandolphRandolph (441 M) Pale, creamy pink with a strong red throat. Heavily ruffled, somewhat short, but a beauty.
Madeson, 2005
L or M: $1.50
Rose MarieRose Marie (466 M) We ordered something very different and got this import. It's an excellent commercial deep rose. We'll probably never know the true name of "Rose Marie."
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L or M: $1.50
Royal SpireRoyal Spire (465 M) It's easy to get hooked on Madeson's great collection. Royal Spire is a tall, majestic deep purple-rose with a soft cream throat. It was highly honored by the British Gladiolus Society.
Madeson, 2002
L or M: $1.50
SensationSensation (279 M) This is a florist's sensation when offered as a cut-flower. Bang, sold out! Sensation is a very ruffled, deep purple with lighter hues. You owe it to yourself to try it. Topped its class in 2009 voting.
Madeson, 2001
L or M: $2
Shadow DancerShadow Dancer (367 LM) A heavily ruffled beauty in various shades of rose, with white throat marking. Shadow Dancer easily opens 10-12. A single spike is a show in itself.
Madeson, 2002
L or M: $2.50
Star PerformerStar Performer (377 M) In its introduction year, this AA was the star of our Maine show. This year, nationally, it was far and away the top blue ribbon winner in its color class. Deep lavender with a rose red blotch on a white throat. Excellent show mechanics.
Hartline, 2007
L: $2.50
Starry NightStarry Night (487 M) This AA is a lightly ruffled deep violet with three white spears emanating from the throat. Another of the great new generation of show and commercial deep violet glads. All mechanics excellent. Photo available.
Madsen 2002
L or M: $1.50
Sunny SundaySunny Sunday (414 LM) Tall, healthy late-midseason variety. Has that brilliant golden-yellow color which is much desired by floral designers. Photo available.
Cates, 2010
L or M: $4
SunsportSunsport (314 EM) This sport of Shiloh inherited the good qualities of its parent, plus better health. The color is light yellow. Great mechanics, including height, number open, stem quality, and color. A competitor in show and sales.
Summerville, 1994
L or M: $1.50
TampicoTampico (460 EM) Excellent light rose cut-flower.
Fischer/Fl., 2006
L or M: $1.50
Tiger EyesTiger Eyes (235 EM) Medium orange with complimentary speckling on a yellow throat. Tiger Eyes' placement, light ruffling, and appeal amount to one of the great glads in its class.
Hoon, 1992
L or M: $1.50
VandohlaVandohla (447 M) A stunning deep pink with deeper blotch, with two magenta blotches on the throat petals, surrounded by a pure white border. Excellent for sales. Photo available.
Dutch, 2007
L or M: $1.50
WhiskersWhiskers (155 E) Bright, medium-red butterflies with prominent cream throats and dark red blotches, airily placed on a long, wiry stem. Photo available.
Selinger, 1990
L or M: $1.50