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Canna
Canna
canna, Indian shot

- Height 21/2-4 ft (75-120 cm)
- Planting distance 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm)
- Flowers late summer to early fall
- Moist, humus-rich soil
- Sunny, sheltered site
- Rhizomes available fall and winter
- Hardy zones 8-10; elsewhere grown as tender annual

The bold tropical leaves of cannas are up to 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) long and 1 ft (30 cm) wide, and may be green, bronze, purplish, red, or variegated in color. The large blossoms resemble a cross between an orchid and a gladiolus. Cannas are tall and should be planted at the back of a bed. The cultivars available have all been developed from Canna x generalis, or horticultural cannas. Green-leaved cultivars are 'Crimson Beauty' (deep red flowers), 'Cupid' (pearly lavender-pink), 'Gold Mine' (deep gold), 'Honeycomb' (combination of orange, pink, and yellow) 'Los Angeles' (coral pink), 'Orange Beauty' (soft orange), and 'President' (vivid scarlet). Bronze-leaved cultivars are 'Ambassador' (red flowers) and 'Mohawk' (orange). 'Cleopatra' bears yellow- and red-striped flowers and green leaves variegated with red; 'Intrigue' has orange flowers and purple leaves.

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