Cannas Bring a Tropical Touch to Your Garden with Ease
Cannas, those eye-catching plants with large dramatic fronds and brightly colored flowers, make a garden look like an island paradise. They offer a tropical look without all the usual fuss.
Why Cannas Are a Gardener’s Dream
“The great thing about cannas is that they are really easy to grow,” says Rick Nowakowski, owner of Nature’s Curiosity Shop, a Vista retail and mail-order nursery that carries a wide variety of cannas.
“Cannas grow in almost any kind of soil, and some of them even flower most of the year in Southern California,” he says. All flower in the summer and fall.
Origins and Appearance
Originally from tropical South America, cannas are related to bananas and gingers. They resemble these plants with their large, often variegated fronds that come in a variety of colors, including:
- Green
- Bronze
- Purple
- White and yellow striped
Plants range in height from 18 inches to 8 feet, though many average 6 to 7 feet tall. Flowers come in a rainbow of colors, including:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Apricot
- Cream
- Pink
Popular Canna Varieties
- ‘Pink Sensation’: Grows 2–3 feet tall. Features pink flowers and leaves striped with pink, cream, and red.
- ‘Pretoria’: Grows 6–7 feet tall and wide. Yellow leaves with green stripes and bright orange flowers.
- ‘Ehmanii’: A giant reaching 8–10 feet. Blooms magenta flowers most of the year.
- ‘Tropicana’: Reaches 6 feet tall. Multicolored leaves striped in orange, chartreuse, red, and green, with bright orange flowers.
Growing and Care Tips for Cannas
To grow healthy, vibrant cannas, keep these tips in mind:
- Sunlight: Plant in full sun to light shade.
- Soil: Thrive in almost any soil, including clay. Amend with compost (25–30%) if preferred.
- Containers: Use high-quality potting soil and one-size-larger pots. Most varieties, except giants, do well in containers.
- Watering: Water frequently; cannas are thirsty. Mulch with compost to retain moisture. Avoid soggy soil.
- Feeding: Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer. Use liquid fertilizer for containers and either liquid or granular for in-ground plants.
- Deadheading: Cut spent flowers just below the pod, but leave the stalk. This encourages quicker reblooming.
- Spring Pruning: Trim brown leaves, old bloom stalks, and dead foliage from the plant’s center in early spring.
Where to Buy Cannas
Cannas are available at local nurseries and through mail-order sources, typically sold in 3- to 5-gallon containers.
Visit Nature’s Curiosity Shop at 1388 Sunset Drive, Vista. Open Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For a free plant list, call (760) 726-1488.
