The dwarf canna is a canna cultivar that grows to about 2-3 feet tall. It comes in a variety of colors. The seeds will produce plants that have a variety of flower colors, including red, orange yellow and pink. Canna x generalis, commonly known as Canna Lily or simply Canna, is a popular ornamental plant prized for its vibrant flowers and lush foliage. Here's a description of this beautiful flowering plant:
Size and Growth Habit: Canna lilies are herbaceous perennial plants that vary in size depending on the cultivar and growing conditions. They typically range from 2 to 8 feet (0.6 to 2.4 meters) in height. Canna plants grow from underground rhizomes, forming clumps of erect stems.
Leaves: The foliage of Canna x generalis is one of its most striking features. The leaves are large, paddle-shaped, and often have prominent veins. They can range in color from green to burgundy, depending on the cultivar. Some varieties also have variegated leaves with stripes or spots of different colors.
Flowers: Canna lilies produce large, colorful flowers that bloom in summer and continue into fall in warm climates. The flowers are borne on tall stalks (inflorescences) and come in a wide range of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and bi-color combinations. Each flower consists of three petals and three sepals, with a central cluster of stamens and pistils.
Habitat and Distribution: While Canna x generalis is not native to any specific region, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It thrives in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
Cultivation and Landscape Use: Canna lilies are versatile plants that can be grown in a variety of settings, including gardens, landscapes, and containers. They are often used as focal points or accents in flower beds, borders, and mixed plantings. Canna plants prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They require regular watering and benefit from a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Hardy in zones 7-11.
Growing Instructions
The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. The seeds can be planted outdoors at any time of the year or they can be grown in containers and then transplanted when they are large enough to be transplanted.
- Scarify the seeds by filing a notch in the seed coat or use sandpaper to sand part of it down.
- Soak the seeds in water for 48 hours.
- Plant the seeds individually or in group of 4-5 in a small pot with potting soil.
- When the seedlings are over 6 inches tall, they can be transplanted into larger pots or they can be transplanted outdoors.
