Canna × ehemanii

RHS Plant Profile
Ehemann's canna
Ehemann's canna RHS 1999

Synonyms

Canna iridiflora misapplied

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial

Large, upright perennial about 1.9m tall, with broad paddle-shaped, blue-green leaves with red margins, and bearing large, waxy bright pinkish-red flowers on tall stems, from midsummer to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cannaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

As a patio plant grow in pots of peat-free compost in a sheltered site in full sun. Plants can also be planted into a sunny border. Water freely and apply a high potassium feed every 2-3 weeks in the growing season. Lift the rhizomes in autumn when frost blackens the foliage. Store over winter in barely moist compost in frost-free conditions. See canna cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division 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
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to promote continued flowering. Leave to dieback in autumn

Pests

Maybe susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, slugs and caterpillars

Diseases

Canna can be susceptible to a virus