Cannas belong to the Cannaceae family; they are tender plants from tropical areas of the world.
Cannas grow extremely well in our climate if planted out after the frosts; they will bring the jungle effect to any garden with their decorative foliage & beautiful flowers.
Cannas thrive in a sheltered sunny position. Remember head in the sun feet in the shade is a good guideline.
Plant 2-3ft apart depending on the variety. Cannas can be used alongside herbaceous plants and shrubs or under planted with other tender perennials. Some canna will grow in water & are equally happy in the border.
Canna Stuttgart is best grown in shade as it scorches in sun.
When choosing your plants bear in mind the height it will reach;
Shorter growing varieties make good patio plants for containers whereas tall growers are more suited to the back of a border or central display bed. If you change your mind, the plants can be relocated during the summer provided you water them well in. Canna leaves will soon become torn if you plant in a windy location.
Cannas like a well-prepared soil enriched with organic matter and dressed with a general fertiliser.
Keep them well watered during the growing season, a lack of water produces spindly growth. Use a liquid feed.
Deadheading prolongs the flowering period; make sure you don't remove the side shoots that often occur below the first flowers as they provide subsequent blooms. Many of the new varieties are self-cleaning & don’t require dead heading.
Cannas are self supporting & shouldn’t need staking.
Some cannas are grown for their attractive foliage & the flower is just a bonus.
There are large blousy flowers like ‘Rosemond Coles’, delicate flowers like ‘Panache’ & small upright species types.
When the first frost blackens the foliage lift the rhizomes & cut the stems back to about 6”, store in a frost free place.
Don't allow the roots to dry completely; an occasional spray with water will keep the rhizomes firm.
Over-wintered rhizomes can be split in the spring, late March or April is ideal. When starting them off, put them in as small a pot as you can get them into, use a coarse, free draining potting mix. Watering should be minimal until root and shoot growth is well established. If you pot straight into a large container you could rot the rhizomes by over watering.
The ideal temperature is 16 degrees centigrade, but they will grow at much lower temperatures provided they don’t get frosted. Your plants can be put outdoors after risk of frost; the first week in June is a good guide. By this time they will be well on their way to flowering.