Canna Slide Show

Cultivation of the Canna is very straight forward.  Plant them in late Spring or early Summer in full sun to light shade.  Cannas prefer a rich moisture retentive soil and benefit immediately from occasional feeding. In the Autumn before the risk of a hard frost cut back the foliage (which by now will probably look the worst for wear), to the ground and lift the rhizomes.  This is the time when the rhizomes can be readily divided and multiply ones stock.  The rhizomes can be stored like dahlia tubers or, as we do, we pot the rhizomes into large containers and maintain a frost free environment in which to keep them.  Keep the compost only moist enough to keep the rhizomes from dehydrating during the winter months.

NOTE: more cannas will die from overwatering than allowing them to become too dry!!  At the advent of Spring start to encourage your cannas into growth by slowly picking up the watering regime.

The Canna originates from the warm tropical regions of America.  They are tender plants that are very exotic looking with their large lush leaves which can be green bronze, purple or variegated.  The flowers are vividly coloured and 'orchid like'.  There are many cultivars available providing a vast range of colour and habit.  Use them for borders, tubs, dot plants, greenhouses and as a water marginal.

Each year visitors to Ventnor Botanic Garden are able to purchase a variety of  cannas from our collection;  it is hoped  to increase the range that we offer in the future but for now these images give you some idea of our more popular varieties.

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