achira, tous-les-mois
Vigorous, upright, rhizomatous perennial to 2m tall, with large mid-green leaves, often bronze-tinted, and panicles of iris-like, bright red or orange flowers are produced in summer and autumn
1.5-2.5 metres
1-1.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
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, leave in situ and protect with a deep dry mulch. See canna cultivation for further information
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
No pruning required, deadhead flowers to prolong flowering
May be susceptible to slugs and snails, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
May be susceptible to canna viruses