After Dolce Vita gladiolus blooms, it is essential to care for the plant to promote its health and ensure that it blooms again next season. Once the flowers begin to fade, snip them off using sharp scissors or pruning shears. Avoid damaging the foliage while cutting the spent blooms.
The next step depends on in which climate you live. Dolce Vita gladiolus is hardy in USDA climate zones 7-10. This means if you live in those climate zones, you can grow them as perennials and just leave them in the ground year-round. Just give them an extra layer of mulch in the wintertime.
If you live in an area with a colder climate zone, you need to dig up the gladiolus bulbs. Lift them up carefully, clean and let them dry. Store the bulbs in a cool and dry place, such as the basement or garage. Preferably with a temperature of 35 - 45 °F.