Growing: Cannas
| Botanical Name: | Canna x gerneralis |
| Life Cycle: | perennial rhizomes |
| Planting Time: | spring after danger of frost has passed |
| Height: | dwarf types 2' to 3; standard types 5' to 6' |
| Exposure: | full sun |
| Soil: | rich, moist, well-drained soil |
| Hardiness: | perennial rhizomes 8 to 11; over winter indoors in cooler zones |
| Bloom Time: | late spring |
| Flower: | variety of bright colors including fire-engine red, hot pink and shocking orange. |
| Foliage: | bright green, blue-green, deep red or tiger striped |
| Propagation: | rhizomes |
| Suggested Use: | beds, borders, landscape accents and container plants |
| Growing Hints: | Southern zones can plant bulbs outside in the spring. To give them a head start, zones north of zone 7 should start bulbs indoors 5 weeks before the last frost date. Pot rhizomes in a soil-less mix, pointed end up and barely cover them. Keep them warm (75ºF) and slightly moist until new growth appears. Then move them to a sunnier location and feed every two weeks with a 1/2 strength houseplant fertilizer. Move plants outdoors when danger of frost has passed. |
| Interesting Facts: | Cannas can be dug up in cooler zones and stored until the following season. Dig them up after the first light frost and cut the tops back approximately 6 inches. Don't bother cleaning soil off the roots, just set them in damp peat moss and store in a cool (40ºF to 50ºF), dry place. Rhizomes should be checked throughout winter and watered lightly if needed to keep roots from shriveling. |
Feedback
Read feedback for this post below.
By Graham Harbman (Guest Post)
03/25/2006
Hi!
I am just starting gardening and I'm attracted to cannas. I think I have a great place for a few with full sun. Could you tell me how long the flowers last?
I live in eastern PA, almost to NJ.
Thank you!,
Graham
Related
Post Feedback
Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.
Enter your feedback here!
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
By Graham Harbman (Guest Post)
03/25/2006
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
