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Conservatory GreenhouseHerbaceous Perennial

Canna 'Sémaphore'

A striking, deciduous rhizomatous perennial with lush bronze to dark purple foliage. Erect stems produce bright orange-yellow flowers from mid summer to early autumn. Suitable for pots and containers

Synonyms
Canna 'Pacific Beauty'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 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 Purple Bronze
Summer Orange Yellow Purple Bronze
Autumn Orange Yellow Purple Bronze
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
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

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 of rhizomes in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Leave to die back in autumn, deadhead flowers to prolong flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to canna viruses

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