Don’t be fooled! Canna Lilies are not apart of the lily family, even though their name might suggest otherwise. These plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions. The Canna genus consists of 10 plant species that are native to tropical and subtropical regions. While they may be commonly known for their white flowers, lilies also come in a variety of colors including red, pink, orange, and yellow. These colors are especially attractive to hummingbirds.
The plant is unique because the leaves are as beautiful as the flowers. This plant is similar to a banana plant in that it has wide, long leaves that are heavily veined. New leaves come wrapped up tightly before they unfurl and become visible among the tight buds and flower stalks.
Many gardeners who ask for canna lily bulbs are really looking for rhizomes. Canna lilies actually grow from rhizomes, which are modified stems that store nutrients and shoot up new stems.
Canna lilies are tender perennials, hardy in zones 7-10. In colder climates, you will need to dig up the bulbs and take them indoors for the winter. The plants can grow up to 8 feet tall and flower from June to October.
Anatomy
The plants have rhizomatous roots, large leaves, and uniquely structured blooms.
Unlike many flowers, which have three large petals, most species’ blooms are clustered, adapted stamens called staminodes. The small, inconspicuous petals are hidden from view by the large, showy stamens.
Some species of Camellia, such as C. amabilis and C. paniculata, have narrow staminodes and sometimes produce inflorescences with dozens of blooms each.
They are occasionally referred to as Indian shot or arrowroot, but they are more commonly known as a preferred source of nectar for pollinators – particularly hummingbirds that love the easy access to the open throated flowers.
The colors of the foliage are so beautiful that we can’t skate past it. The colors are often very bright, such as purple, yellow, and red. As each immature leaf grows, it does so in the form of a curled tube. Eventually, it unfurls to reveal the color and pattern that was hidden within.
Some of the specimens have color patterns that are very different from others.
The colorful stems, flowers, and leaves of C. indica ‘Phasion’ look like they came from a tropical fairytale.
The stalks that support the leaves and flowers are thick and strong, often more than an inch in diameter. The flowers can be brightly colored, with tones of green, purple, and red.
The leaves are generally 10 to 12 inches in width and can range from one to four feet in length. One plant may spread to more than three feet in width.
Species and cultivars vary in their height and spread. The dwarf cultivars are the most compact of these, bred to remain under about four feet in height.
The taller varieties of this plant can reach a height of nearly 7 feet, with the wild specimens reaching up to 10 feet.
Cultivation and History
The tuberous corms of C. indica are a food source that has been used by the indigenous peoples of southern North America, Central America, and northern South America for centuries. These corms were discovered by foreign explorers at some point in history.
The first recorded instances of the plant were gathered from the Americas and shipped to Europe in the mid-1500s.
How they got there is unknown, but experts in plants were quick to take notice. Although cultivation of cannas began at an unknown point in history, it wasn’t until the 1800s when they became a popular garden staple.
x hybridus Most botanical names you’ll see use the generic hybrid name C. x hybridus because of the continual crossbreeding of the various species. x generalis. There are 10 different groups that cultivars are sorted into based on their foliage color and type, growth structure, and the region they are cultivated in.
The seeds of the plant are used as filler for percussion instruments such as gourd rattles by members of some African and Middle Eastern cultures. The design of these instruments is similar to that of maracas.
Although wild sunflowers are usually tall, sometimes growing up to 10 feet, the blooms they produce are often smaller than those of cultivated varieties.
Botanists and breeders have been crossing different varieties of plants for over 200 years in order to improve certain desirable traits such as bloom size, reduced height, and enhanced cold hardiness.
Some species of plants have edible leaves, flowers, and roots, which are used in farming. Canna starch that is edible may take the place of arrowroot, and they are frequently given to livestock as a less expensive food source.
Cannas grow in the wild in semi-wetland areas, such as along riverbanks and lake beds. A habitat that is partially submerged and somewhat boggy is preferred for species like C. flaccida.
The tubers help to filter out toxins and pollutants from the soil where they are growing. Water plants can be used to purify wetland areas.
In ideal conditions, healthy plants will produce blooms that fertilize themselves to produce seed pods. The seeds are approximately one-quarter inch in diameter, and very hard with an almost impenetrable seed coat.
When the pods from a self-seeding plant dry and split open, the seeds inside are scattered onto the ground below, allowing the plant to grow in the wild.
The tough exterior seed coat gradually dissolves in a boggy environment, allowing for water absorption and germination.
Canna Lily Varieties
There is a wide variety of colors and patterns among canna lilies. There are several things that stand out to me.
- Canna ‘Wyoming’: a winner of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, this is sure a stand-out canna. It has bold orange flowers that contrast with dark burgundy/purple leaves.
- Canna ‘Brilliant’: one of the most classic canna looks is red flowers atop bright green flowers. It’s sure to add a pop of the tropics to your garden or patio.
- Canna indica: known more commonly as Indian shot or arrowroot, this is a minor food crop for the indigenous people of the Americas. It has large green to purplish leaves and comes in a variety of colours including yellow, orange, red, and white.
- Canna ‘Toucan Coral’: this stunning canna comes in a soft salmon pink colour with bright green leaves. It’s one of the more unique canna colours you can find.
Propagation
Seed produced by cannas is not reliable in reproducing parental characteristics because the plants have been crossbred and hybridized for a long time. It’s best to begin propagation by dividing the rhizome.
Note that some cultivars and hybrids are commonly sterile.
From Seed
To collect the seeds, wait until the pods have split open on their own, which usually occurs in mid- to late winter. Then, select ripe seeds from the mature pods of a fertile specimen.
Cut the thick seed coat with a sharp, sterile garden knife and place it in water. Soak for 24 hours.
Seeds can also be soaked in nearly boiling hot water, which will dissolve the protective elements of the fibrous coat in a shorter time period. After boiling the water, let it cool and then soak the seed for a day.
Sow one seed in each container or cell, pressing it about a quarter-inch deep into a mix of one part coconut coir to one part sand or perlite. Add water to the plant until the soil is wet, then remove the excess water so that the plant isn’t sitting in water. Cover the plant with plastic wrap to keep the moisture in.
Put the pots in a place where the ground will be around 70 degrees to make them grow. An heat mat can help maintain a stable temperature. After about seven to 14 days, sprouts should appear.
Take the plastic covering off the seedlings and put them in a place where they’ll get six hours of sunlight every day, or use a grow lamp.
Plant seedlings outdoors in the spring when they are 5-7 inches tall. Be sure to maintain soil moisture.
Directly sow your seeds in a sunny location outdoors, and soak them beforehand. Keep the soil moist after planting.
Wait to sow your seeds outdoors until the danger of frost has passed for your region. Sow them 18 inches apart.
From Rhizome Divisions
Rhizomes produce offshoots that grow into new plants in order to spread. Each shoot will produce its own roots, so they can easily be separated into individual plantings.
The best way to reproduce the characteristics of the parent plant is to divide the rhizomes. This also reduces the waiting period for maturity, so blooms will appear earlier than with seed-grown specimens.
Corms should be dug up and separated every three to four years. It’s best to do so during dormancy, if possible. After the leaves die back, dig up the corms and rinse them so you can see where to make your cuts.
Look for small, bulb-like nodules with an eye at the top, which is where new stems will sprout.
With a sharp, clean knife, carefully cut the root where it meets the nodule. Make sure each potato has some roots and an eye on it before planting.
The corms that were just split should be left to scab over for a few days before being potted or transplanted.
How to Plant Canna Lilies
Although you can plant canna lily seeds, it is better to grow them from rhizomes. The seeds have a low probability of germination and require more than the average amount of preparation before you can plant them. Instead, look for potted canna lilies or rhizomes.
The more eyes the rhizome has, the more it will produce, and the bigger the plant will be. The eyes are small growth bumps on the rhizome. When searching for the best rhizomes, look for those that are large and plump with at least three eyes.
Plant the rhizomes 2-3 inches deep. Do not plant the trees too deep, or their growth will be hindered. The eyes of the plant should point upwards. Space the rhizomes 18-24 inches apart. Canna lilies like some space between them and other plants. Adding a layer of mulch on top of the soil can help your plants to thrive if you’ve planted them outside.
If you live in a place with a cool climate, you can start growing your rhizomes indoors 4-6 weeks before the last possible frost. Don’t plant them until the risk of frost has passed. A good tip is to plant them at the same time as you plant your tomatoes.
After a few months, you should begin to see some of the beautiful flowers. Canna lilies will flower their first year!
CONTAINER PLANTING
Canna lilies also do extremely well in large planters. The containers for these plants should be no smaller than 16 inches in diameter.
If you are worried about your plant toppling over in the wind, you should use a larger pot. This will help to keep the plant more stable. In other words, go buy the big ceramic pot you have been wanting!
Transplanting
Depending on how you’ve started off with your plants, either through seeds, rhizome division, or purchasing new starts, you will need to transplant them to where they will be growing.
You should transplant your plants outside after there is no longer any danger of frost.
The hole you dig for an in-ground plant should be about three to four inches deep, or as deep as the cell or root system. Place the plant in the hole and press down gently so that the roots make contact with the soil. Do not dig the roots up and bury them deeper than they were before.
Fill the space around the plant with soil, and press it gently into place with your hands. Water the plant well to help it settle in, and give it one to two inches of water per week if there’s no rain.
Most types of cannas also grow well in pots. A container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide should be used for most species.
The best container to use for your plant is a wide and heavy one to prevent it from toppling over. Some varieties of plants can be very tall, so make sure you know how tall the mature plant will be before potting it.
When choosing a planter for your cannas, make sure that it has good drainage to avoid the plant suffering from drought.
Growing Tips
- In warmer climates, plant canna lilies in partially shaded areas where the ground is consistently moist.
- In cooler climates, choose a sunny location where they’ll receive at least 8 hours of direct light per day.
- Avoid allowing the substrate to dry out by offering 1-2 inches of water per week in the absence of rain.
- Container growing will curb the unwanted spread of rhizomes.
Pruning and Maintenance
Most herbaceous species don’t need to be regularly pruned. This is an important step to improve blooming.
Continue to monitor the flowers and leaves as the seasons change from spring to fall. Cut off dead leaves with a clean knife or pruning shears so that new ones can grow.
When the flowers are gone and the petals are all wilted, cut the whole stem off at the bottom.
Some types of flowers have been bred to not need dead blossoms to be removed, as they will fall off on their own.
It is also important to look at the clusters of flowers to make sure there are no remaining unopened buds. If there are, remove just the dead flowers unless you plan to collect seeds.
Removing spent flowers and leaves from plants encourages the production of new growth, redirects the plant’s energy to where it is needed, and reduces the likelihood of problems with pests and diseases that are attracted to decaying material.
Plan to divide the rhizomes every three to four years, or earlier if you notice that new shoots are cropping up outside where you’d prefer them to grow.
The ideal time to divide plants is when blooming has finished and the corms are dormant.
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