Canna 'Erebus'

RHS Plant Profile
water canna 'Erebus'
water canna 'Erebus' RHS 1999
Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial Aquatic Bogs

Clump-forming perennial suited to aquatic and bog gardens, growing to about 1.5m tall, with large, paddle-shaped grey-green leaves, and iris-like, pale coral-pink flowers in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

In summer, water cannas (often bred from Canna glauca) can be placed in containers in ponds with no more than 15cm (6in) of water over the roots. They are also suitable for well-watered borders or conservatories where potted plants can be stood in deep saucers of water. Before autumn frosts, bring plants from outdoors into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Keep the pots moist but not saturated. In April, increase temperatures and plant the sprouted plants out in late May when the risk of frost has passed. See further canna cultivation advice

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Deadhead to promote continued flowering. Leave to die back in autumn

Pests

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

Diseases

Canna can be susceptible to canna viruses