Canna

Tall flower spikes, in rich shades of orange, yellow, red and pink, rise up in summer above the lush foliage. The large, paddle-shaped leaves are often striped with zingy yellow or tinted with maroon or bronze, adding to their tropical appeal.

Cannas need warmth, a steady water supply, good soil and full sun to grow and flower well. These tall, leafy plants prefer a sheltered site, with room to expand and show off to their full potential. A few varieties, known as water cannas, are happy growing in pots standing in shallow water in summer.

These are tender tropical plants, so most won’t survive harsh frosts. They dislike cold, shady or dry locations, or windy sites where the large leaves may get shredded and the tall flower spikes blown over.

Although the top growth of cannas will be killed by frost in autumn, if the roots are protected over winter they will produce fresh growth every spring. In mild regions of the UK, simply cover the root zone with insulating mulch, but in colder locations it's safer to bring them indoors over winter.