Plant Type

Perennial, Annual, Bulb

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6'

 

Flower Color

Gold, Orange, Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Multi-Colored

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Green, Dark Green, Red, Yellow, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, High, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Tropical, Water Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Patio

 

Special Uses

Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Cannas are a wonderful, bold, tropical-looking plants that emerge from tuberous rootstocks, and range in height from 2 to 10 feet, but are usually pretty narrow compared to their height. The foliage is large, lance-shaped, and may range from green to bronze to purple, and even striped. Flowers bloom mid to late summer, and range in shades of yellow, oranges, reds, and corals. As they are not dependably hardy, enjoy them in containers and raised planters.

A perennial in warmer climates, canna are not dependably winter hardy (they are listed as being hardy to USDA 7). Grow in well drained soil in full sun (though if you want them to over-winter, they need to be in a full sun location with a lot of radiant heat from walls, walks, or drives). Sort of indifferent to soil type, but it must be well draining, especially if they are to over-winter. If you want to leave them over winter, mulch well. For instructions on storing indoors, see Guides. Tolerant of a great deal of water (they can even be planted in pots that are submerged in ponds), they are also remarkably heat and drought tolerant.