'Rich Glads' return to Wayne County

After three decades, Rich Glads have returned to Wayne County.

These prize-winning show glads are now being grown by Martha Rich of Marion, Emmet Vanderburgh of Williamson, and Pat Nortier Murphy of Michigan, formerly of Marion. Emmet and Martha are pictured.

A dedicated search spanning several years located these heirloom glads in Maine, Michigan and Indiana. They were in limited supply and in great demand.

Rich Glad All American winner 'Frisky' was a special and exciting find.

Martha Rich exhibited several Rich Glads at this year's Wayne County Palmyra Fair, winning several blue ribbons and coveted rosettes.

Vanderburgh, the Superintendent of the Palmyra Fair Flower Show, became closely associated with Rich in 1962, when he saw some of these beautiful glads at the Palmyra Fair.

He says Marian Rich was an outstanding hybridizer and grower with a keen eye for form, texture, shape, and color and kept meticulous records. Rich Glads were sold nationally in Canada, Europe especially Lithuania and Russia.

Winner of many prestigious awards and hybridizer of over 100 famous glads, Rich was an honoree in the International Gladiolus Hall of Fame.

Rich, who now grows eight varieties, is grateful to Cates Family Glads (Maine), Greuber Glads (Indiana) and Bob Bullard Glads (Michigan) for help in finding these rare cultivators.

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