Canna 'Picasso'

RHS Plant Profile
canna 'Picasso'
canna 'Picasso' RHS 1999

Synonyms

Canna indica 'Picasso'

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial

Fairly compact, clump-forming perennial about 1.2m tall, with large, broad, green or bluish-green leaves, and showy yellow flowers boldly spotted with red, appearing from midsummer to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 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
Bushy, 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 early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Deadhead to promote continued flowering. Leave to dieback in autumn

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to canna viruses