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Conservatory GreenhouseHerbaceous PerennialAquaticBogs

Canna 'Erebus'
  • RHS AGM

water canna 'Erebus'

Clump-forming perennial suited to aquatic and bog gardens, growing to about 1.5m tall, with large, paddle-shaped grey-green leaves, and iris-like, pale coral-pink flowers in summer and early autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer Pink Grey Silver Green
Autumn Pink Grey Silver White Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Cannaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Canna are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing ovate leaves, with showy flowers with showy petal-like staminodes and small, coloured petals and sepals, borne in racemes or panicles in summer and autumn

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

In summer, water cannas (often bred from Canna glauca) can be placed in containers in ponds with no more than 15cm (6in) of water over the roots. They are also suitable for well-watered borders or conservatories where potted plants can be stood in deep saucers of water. Before autumn frosts, bring plants from outdoors into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Keep the pots moist but not saturated. In April, increase temperatures and plant the sprouted plants out in late May when the risk of frost has passed. See further canna cultivation advice

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

Deadhead to promote continued flowering. Leave to die back in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, slugs and caterpillars

Diseases

Canna can be susceptible to canna viruses

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