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Canna lilies are vibrant and beautiful flowers that can add a pop of color to any garden. To keep them blooming all season, follow these tips:
1. Plant them in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.
2. Water them regularly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
3. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
4. Remove dead flowers and leaves to promote new growth.
5. Provide support for taller varieties to prevent them from falling over.
6. Protect them from strong winds and heavy rains.
7. Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a continuous display of vibrant canna lilies throughout the entire season.
Is there a more stunning bulb plant than the canna lily? These incredible plants produce vibrant blooms from early spring until the first frost, along with striking, folded leaves in various shades of green, maroon, or bronze, often with pinstripes. Despite their visually impressive flowers, they are actually quite easy to grow.
Introduction to the Canna Lily
If you reside in one of the warmer climates, consider adding canna lilies (Canna x generalis) to your bulb garden. These extraordinary flowers are not technically bulb plants, but rather rhizomatous, perennial herbaceous plants that continuously produce flamboyant flowers on tall stalks from spring or early summer until winter arrives. Their colorful leaves are striped and resemble those of a banana tree.
Canna lilies thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 12. However, individuals in cooler zones can still enjoy their beauty by removing the rhizomes from the garden and storing them in a garage or basement for the winter.
Planting the Canna Lily
Select a full-sun location for your canna lilies, ensuring they receive at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily in order to maximize their blooming potential throughout the season. Opt for a spot that is sheltered from strong winds, which can harm the foliage.
Prepare the soil to a depth of 12 inches before planting the bulbs, incorporating a few inches of compost. Plant the canna lily rhizomes in late spring or early summer, positioning each one 1 to 4 inches deep with the growth sprouts (or “eyes”) facing upward, and then cover with 2 inches of soil. Space the plants 1 to 4 feet apart, depending on the size of the blooms. Water thoroughly and then refrain from watering until signs of growth appear. The plants should begin blooming within 10 to 12 weeks.
Caring for Canna Lilies
Canna lilies require an adequate water supply to thrive. Regularly soak their soil during the hotter parts of summer, unless there is consistent rainfall. During dry spells, they may still require watering, even if it is only a small amount of rain. Once the rhizomes sprout, make sure to never let a week pass without slowly saturating the canna lily soil. Applying a thin layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture.
What about fertilization? If the soil has been enriched with compost, additional feeding is not necessary. However, if desired, you can apply a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer in spring and twice during the growing season. Alternatively, you can use fish emulsion fertilizer or products specifically designed for roses or tomatoes.
Each stalk will produce a series of flowers, so it is beneficial to remove faded blossoms by deadheading. Use sharp garden pruners for this task. Once the flowers cease to appear, trim back the stems. Cease fertilization just prior to the first frost in autumn.
The canna lily’s large, beautiful leaves may attract insect pests, such as aphids or caterpillars. However, with vigilance, these pests can be easily controlled.
