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Herbaceous Perennial

Canna iridiflora Ruiz & Pav.

Upright, clump-forming perennial to a height of 3m, the broad, oval, dark, bluish-green leaves are up to 1m long. Trumpet-shaped flowers are bright pink and borne from midsummer to early autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Cannaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Correct

Plant range
Peru

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How to grow

Cultivation

As a patio plant grow in pots of peat-free compost in a sheltered site in full sun. Plants can also be planted into a sunny border. Water freely and apply a high potassium feed every 2-3 weeks in the growing season. Lift the rhizomes in autumn when frost blackens the foliage. Store over winter in barely moist compost in frost-free conditions. See canna cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring

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

Cut back frosted growth in autumn, deadhead flowers to prolong flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to canna viruses

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