Bright red flowers on single stalk

Saw them in central Missouri on vacation and can't figure out what they are. The plant is about 2 ft tall with broad spiked leaves. It looks very similar to the wild purple irises I have which bloom here in Chicago in early June. There are about 6 - 8 flower buds on each stalk. It was blooming late July.

Here is a very bad picture, but you can see what the foliage looks like. Not the naked lily's....the small red flowers in the middle.

Thanks, here is a link

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/funcampin/ RedFlower.jpg?t=1249519425

It appears to be a Gladiolus.

I thought gladiolus too, but these were growing wild in a campground - don't think they would be hardy in central MO

If planted deeply enough, glads can become perennial to Zone 4. The smaller types are more likely to perennialize than the fancier tall hybrids.

Can you suggest a variety that would grow as a perennial that is bright red? How deep do you need to plant them? Would they need to be planted even deeper in a raised bed?

When do glads bloom? I liked that these bloomed the end of July and into August.

Thank you so much.

Can't help you there - I'm Zone 3 and they won't perennialize here. Try your Extension Service.