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Herbaceous Perennial

Canna liliiflora

Very large perennial growing in excess of 3m tall, with oval green leaves reaching 1.2m in length, and spikes of large, sweetly scented white, greenish-white or pale yellow flowers in summer and autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn White Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Cannaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Canna are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing ovate leaves, with showy flowers with showy petal-like staminodes and small, coloured petals and sepals, borne in racemes or panicles in summer and autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE Peru to Bolivia

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How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sheltered site with full sun and water freely in dry spells; apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. In cold regions, lift the rhizomes in autumn once frost has blackened the foliage and store in barely moist compost in frost-free conditions. In areas that are frost-free or almost so, leave in situ and protect with a deep dry mulch. See canna cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring, or propagate by seed (sown indoors) in spring. The seed needs to be chipped or soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to sowing

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required, deadhead flowers to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to canna viruses

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