Introduction to the Canna
In a temperate climate, Cannas offer the garden an exotic tropical look with their bright orange, fiery red and dazzling yellow blossoms. Today, there is great interest among horticulturists to give them their rightful place under the sun.

Genus and History of the Canna
Canna is the genus and the family is the Cannaceae, which is under Zingiberales, the ginger order of flowering plants. The family has only one genus, the Canna, which includes close to 55 species. Cannas are natives of Asia and the Americas. Growing Cannas was very popular during the Victorian period and the early twentieth century. Victorian gardeners reveled in creating floral gardens and invariably Cannas were the focal point in most of them. But this over use led to their fall from grace literally and many times the flowers got dismissed as "it's just a Canna". Nevertheless, for more than 400 years plant breeders have been cultivating and trading in Cannas and also developing many attractive dramatic looking hybrids.

Description and Popular Types of Cannas
They grow from rhizomes and are very hardy perennials. All Canna hybrids are classified as the garden variety (Canna x generalis) and the orchid variety (Canna x orchiodes). Cannas are admired for their three distinctive characteristics - height, foliage and bloom.

Cannas grow about 3 feet - 10 feet tall and have a spread of 2 feet. They can be classified as dwarf (3feet), medium (4feet), and tall (above 6 feet). Popular varieties here are the tall Wyoming and the Red King Humbert. The Futurity and Pfitizers are dwarf types. The foliage in general is large and arranged in a spiral fashion. Their shape resembles banana leaves and their color range extends from shades of green to bronze.

There are also hybrid Cannas with variegated foliage. Popular varieties in this category are the City of Portland known for its green foliage, the Ambassador with its red colored leaves, the Canna Striped Beauty that has white stripes on green leaves and the Canna Pretoria boasting of yellow stripes on green foliage.

Canna blossoms are unique in their design. They are asymmetrical flowers. Their stamens or staminodes as they are known are large and more conspicuous than the three regular petals and sepals of these flowers. This oddity makes them appealing to botanists. Each blossom has only one half functional stamen since the other stamens are sterile. Cannas bloom in all colors with the exception of purple and blue. They also come in many freckled hybrids.

Popular bloom varieties are the Pink Futurity Canna that has light pink flowers and deep wine red leaves, and the Picasso with its yellow blossoms freckled with deep red, lending a tropical jungle look. The Peach Blush, The Pink President, Angel Pink, and Apricot Ice are famous for their pastel hues. The most astounding Canna is the Tropicana. Its foliage dramatically changes first from a plain green to a deep burgundy striped green and then to a collage of yellow, gold pink, and red stripes. Its flowers are a bright orange.

Growing Tips for the Canna
Cannas should be planted in spring, once the threat of frost is over.

Recomondated Climate for Growing Canna
USDA Zones 7 to 10 are suitable for growing Cannas in early spring. In warm zones, they can be grown anytime.

Soil Receomondation for Growing Canna
It must be loose, fertile and consistently moist but well-draining soil. It can be enriched with leaf compost or manure.

Light and Heat Requirements for Growing Canna
Cannas need a minimum of four hours of bright sunlight, and an adequate summer heat of above 60 degrees.

Watering Requirements for Growing Canna
They thrive only with plenty of water. All through summer and during periods of drought they need to be watered well once a week.

Fertilizing your Canna
An all purpose fertilizer (10-20-10) is adequate at planting time. Feed again during the growing season.

Planting Canna and Normal Flowering Period of The Canna
The rhizomes must be planted in a horizontal position 12 to 18 inches apart for mass plantings. Individual plants can be spaced 20 to 24 inches apart. For early flowers in the blooming season, they can be planted indoors a month before the weather turns warm. Blooming is not inhibited by not deadheading.
Cannas are quite pest resistant with the exception of caterpillars and slugs ruining leaf edges.
In cold zones after the blooming period, the rhizomes should be lifted and stored after cleaning and drying for another season of flowers.

Propagation Techniques for the Canna
New plants can be grown from seeds and also by separating the buds on the rhizomes and planting them in spring.

Cannas with their gladiolus like flowers lend a distinctive air to the garden whether as large expanses or only a few, rising tall from the back of flower beds. With petunias and sweet potato vines, dwarf sized Cannas make an enticing picture in the garden. Near ponds and wet spots, Cannas, with their colorful blossoms seem to have been created only to enhance the beauty of water. Truly, Cannas are versatile and exotic!

These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory