Canna glauca (Aquatic Canna)

Canna glauca, commonly known as Water Canna, is a rhizomatous perennial in the Cannaceae family, native to wetlands from the southeastern United States and Mexico through Central America and parts of South America. It typically grows 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) tall, with slender upright stems and distinctive narrow, blue-green to gray-green leaves. The flowers are relatively delicate compared with the large blooms of modern garden cannas and are usually yellow, sometimes with orange markings. Canna glauca is also important in horticulture as a parent of water-loving hybrids, especially the popular Longwood Hybrids, developed for growing in shallow water. Well-known cultivars in this group include 'Endeavor' with red flowers, 'Ra' with yellow flowers, 'Erebus' with soft pink flowers, and 'Taney' with orange flowers.

Water Canna grows best in full sun and consistently moist to wet, rich soil and can thrive at pond margins or in shallow standing water. It is also suitable for ordinary garden beds if supplied with abundant moisture during active growth. Plants spread by rhizomes and flower during the warm season. Canna glauca is generally suitable for USDA Zones 8-11; in colder climates, rhizomes can be lifted and stored frost-free over winter. Its narrow glaucous foliage and tolerance of aquatic conditions distinguish it from most commonly cultivated cannas.