For height , drama and a tropical look in northern garden , nothing beats canna lily . Native to tropical and semi - tropic areas of North and South America , canna lilies evolved along damp , semi - shady riverbank . They are perennials in parts of the southerly United States , but in northerly climates they are annual plants for the back of a border or large containers .
Are they lilies?
Cannas ( Canna x generalis)are not dependable lily , and they grow fromrhizomes rather than light bulb . Rhizomes are change stem that grow horizontally underground , as the rootstalk grows it develops eyes that originate up . The leaf structures rise from oculus on the rhizome , growing as tall as 4 feet . Canna leaves are large and may be variegated or a deep burgundy color . In June 21 , the plants bloom with dramatic flowers that resemble theblooms of an iris .
Cannas can be grown in the basis or in a container . If you choose to raise them in a container , make indisputable it is a large one - at least 15 inches in diameter and preferably 18 or more . The big container jibe the size of the fledged flora and grounds it enough to forbid the plant from bung in the wind .
Canna planting and care
Choose business firm , stout rhizomes . Wait to embed them until the risk of frost is retiring - they prefer soil that is at least 60 degrees . Dig a deep in the soil ( or in the container ) 4 inch deep and set the rhizome in it with the eyes place upward . Then , cover the rhizome with soil or compost . The eyes should be 2 inches below the top of the soil . If you are planting more than one canna , put them 8 to 12 inches apart .
Cannas will ask veritable lacrimation and will grow taller and bloom more with monthly fertilizing with a light plant food - tone for a liquid feed with the phone number 5 - 10 - 5 on the nursing bottle .
Cultivars
During a premature MSHS Bulb Sale , two popular cultivars of canna lilies are usable . ‘ Australia ’ is a striking plant with dark burgundy , almost inglorious with child leaves and reddened blossom . This is a real attention - getter in the garden or on your porch or patio . ‘ capital of South Africa ’ has variegated leaves and orangish flush .
Visit the Northern Gardener™ Resource Hub
We make the Northern Gardener ™ Resource Hub to leave you with an easy - to - navigate central localisation for everything from lead off tip to modern steps for experts . Search by topic or ask a interrogation — if you ca n’t find the reply , let us know . We ’ll be sure to dig one up for you !
‘Australia’ canna lily
