CAPTIVATING CANNA

Cannas often command oohs and ahhs in the perennial border. A bold tropical looking garden is not complete without the big leaves and voluptuous flowers of Cannas. Tall varieties offer a sensational backdrop for just about anything. Dwarf varieties can move into the middle or front layer of the border to offer good substance in the mix of plants.

Christopher Lloyd taught us to mix Cannas with finer, tall foliage such as Heilanthus angustifolia or ‘Lemon Queen’ and Verbena bonariensis for textural contrasts. Cannas also look great alone.

Every day I drive by a “hedge” of mixed cannas which provides seasonal privacy. This tropical privacy border is punctuated by Crinum and, yes, a perennial Brugmansia. I love to mix Cannas with other big bold foliage such as Kniphofia, Melianthus, Ricinus and Nicotiana sylvestris.

Cannas also teach us patience. They are one of the last perennials to emerge in the garden and in the nurseries. This is because Cannas require heat to wake up. They need at least 5 hours of direct sun per day, regular water and very good drainage.

Canna 'Intrigue'

These lush beauties also work well in containers. On my bike rides, I pass a parking strip with wine barrels filled with Cannas and other colorful annuals. If you plant tender Cannas such as ‘Intrigue’ or C. australis, you may want to pull the containers into the garage for winter protection. I have however, had these Cannas over winter in the ground if it was a mild winter or a protected sight.

Cannas contribute big splashes of color to the garden with both their foliage and flowers. Canna ‘Tropicana’ (or Phasion) and ‘Pretoria’ both offer wonderfully colorful striped leaves. Wyoming and Futurity Red sport reliably perennial red foliage with orange or red flowers respectively. ‘Yellow King Humbert’ and ‘Journey’s End’ have flowers with spots and streaks. Dwarf varieties such s ‘Louis Cotton’ and ‘Lucifer’ reach about 2-3’ tall.

Ponds are another area in which to feature Cannas. They can tolerate 4-6” of water over the crown. It is essential to move pond cannas into a dry area for the winter. If your pond has afternoon shade you may want to try Canna ‘Stuttgart’ which has bold white streaked leaves.

Canna 'Tropical Rose'

You can purchase Canna rhizomes with spring bulbs or potted plants in late spring through summer. When planting bare rhizomes, amend the soil with compost and an all purpose granular fertilizer. Place the rhizomes in a 2-3” deep hole with the growing points facing up. Fill in the rest of the hole with a soil and compost mix.

Potted plants should be planted as any other perennials with special attention to soil drainage. To insure good drainage you may want to mix an inch of pumice and compost and starter fertilizer into the bottom of the hole. Loosen the roots and plant so that the soil line of the plant is even with the soil level of the ground. Water in with liquid seaweed to decrease transplant shock.

Whether you are creating a tropical back yard fantasy or planting some containers Cannas are sure to offer a bold and beautiful look.