They are planted from corms about four inches deep in an area with full sun and good drainage. A little bulb fertilizer or bone meal will assure good blooms for the next few years too. They look best planted in groups of odd numbers where they will get regular water - but not too wet or they will rot.
Avoid planting them in rows where they look stiff and awkward. If you plant a few every month you will have tall, dramatic flowers to cut and put in a vase all summer long.
Although many of us associate gladiolas with fanned out funeral arrangements, a dramatic tall vase full of eight to ten deep purple flowers will last for a long time and make quite a statement!