canna
( KAN - nuh )
At-A-Glance InformationThese flowering perennials are commonly called Canna Lily. These plants grow from rhizomes and can take full sun and regular to ample water during growth and bloom periods. They have showy leaves and flowers, and are great additions to any garden, adding a tropical look to containers and planting beds. They are equally effective when grown in containers and in the ground. Leaves and flowers vary in color, and blooms appear in summer and fall. Cannas are native to American tropics, though they have naturalized in many places around the globe.
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Canna Species and Varietals
The genus Canna is a member of the plant family Cannaceae and includes 10 species. Canna Lilies do best when grown in zones 6-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Canna flaccida (Bandana-of-the-Everglades) Reaching up to 5 feet tall, these plants are native to central, south, and east United States, and has naturalized elsewhere. This species is a parent to many of the early hybrid Canna cultivars, and produces yellow flowers. Blooms emerge from August through October in the plant's native range. |
Canna glauca (Canna jacobiniflora) (Water Canna, Louisiana Canna) These plants are native to wetlands in the tropical Americas, and have naturalized elsewhere. They can reach 3-6 feet tall and have blue-green foliage. Flowers are pale yellow and bloom August through October in the plants native range. Varietal 'Erebus' has salmon-pink flowers and blue green leaves, and reaches 4-6 feet tall. |
Canna indica (Indian Shot, African Arrowroot, Edible Canna, Purple Arrowroot, Sierra Leone Arrowroot, Achira, Cana-da-India) Native to much of South America, these plants have naturalized in many areas of the globe, and grow to reach between 1.5 and 8 feet tall when in bloom. There are many subspecies and cultivars in this species, with varying heights, flower colors, and foliage. |
Canna Varietals and Cultivars
Canna cultivars are generally divided into three distinct groups: Foliage (or Année), Crozy and Italian. The foliage group is grown for their notable leaves, and the Crozy group (sometimes called the Gladiolus flowering group) has varieties bred for their packed flower spikes. Finally, the Italian group has blooms that are more spaced apart, and have wider petals than the plants in the Crozy group. The following list of cultivars represents some of the more commonly found and sought-after varieties of Canna.
Canna cultivars are generally divided into three distinct groups: Foliage (or Année), Crozy and Italian. The foliage group is grown for their notable leaves, and the Crozy group (sometimes called the Gladiolus flowering group) has varieties bred for their packed flower spikes. Finally, the Italian group has blooms that are more spaced apart, and have wider petals than the plants in the Crozy group. The following list of cultivars represents some of the more commonly found and sought-after varieties of Canna.
'Bengal Tiger' ('Striata')
4-6 feet tall, with yellow-striped green leaves and orange blooms. |
'Tropicanna' ('Phasion')
4-6 feet tall, with bright orange blooms and purple foliage with green, yellow, pink and red stripes. |
'Tropicanna Gold'
Gets 4-6 feet tall and has striped green and gold foliage. Flowers are yellow-orange flowers with flecks of darker orange. |
Caring for Canna
These plants are best adapted to hot summer climates. In areas where the soil temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, they are best when brought inside to store over winter. These beauties should be planted in springtime after the danger of frost has passed by, and do best in rich, loose soil. Rhizomes should be placed about 2-4 inches deep, 1.5 to 2 feet apart. In cold regions, start rhizomes indoors and transplant outdoors about a month and a half after the last frost has passed. Cut stems to the ground after blooms expire. This will encourage rebloom and growth of new stems, which will continue to grow until into fall. Clumps of plants should be divided every 3-4 years.
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 220, Canna
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