Canna sp.

Canna Lily. Perennial growing up to 6-7 ft, with long narrow leaves and showy flowers. Tolerates flooding, grows well along waterline.

Cannas should be planted where they will have a visual impact at the height of summer. Most cannas are tall and need to be placed at the back of a bed. In their native habitat, Canna grows in shaded locations. However, for profuse flowering Cannas need full sun. The more sun, the better. Canna lilies will survive in a shady site, but they will not grow as profusely.

Like bananas, Canna lilies are heavy feeders. Provide plenty of compost and/or good liquid fertilizer to keep the plants looking their best. Without adequate fertility or moisture, Cannas look quite ugly. If your Canna lily plant looks ratty during the summer, that's a sure sign that an extra food is required.

If you're growing plants in containers, keep in mind that Canna lilies are large plants and therefore need a large container. The plants will lose vigor as they become pot-bound. When that happens, lift the root-ball, divide the canna bulbs (rhizomes) and replant. Container-grown Canna lilies will need watering once or even twice a day if grown outside, and it may help to stand the pot in a saucer of water. Provide regular fertilizer at full rate according to the instructions on the label.

Similar plants:

• Canna glauca (Aquatic Canna, Maraca Amarilla, Water Canna )
• Canna indica, Canna x generalis (Canna Lily, Indian Shot)
• Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis (Cannabis)
• Hibiscus cannabinus (Kenaf, Java Jute )