Landscape low maintenance potted plant tip: Canna Lily
Canna x generalis is a cross between Canna Glauca and Canna Indica. There are a variety of foliage and flower color combinations available. There is also a native option known as Golden Canna or Canna flaccida. The native is found in wetlands.
Use: Keep this plant in a pot! If planted directly in the soil, this plant will spread everywhere. It is an aggressive grower and will quickly become a ‘bully’ in a mixed landscape. There might be some exceptions, like you have an area surrounded on all sides by concrete (driveway, sidewalk, side of house, etc) where the hard surface forms a natural boundary but otherwise I strongly recommend you keep it in a pot. It makes a great feature plant for your deck or patio, or an accent along a walkway. Just make sure to keep it watered for best flowering.
Conditions: No matter which you choose, Canna prefers wet soil or at least consistent irrigation. It can survive with less water but will not flower as profusely. Canna also prefers full sun. It will survive in mixed lighting or shade but again, it will not flower as well. If potted, make sure to mix in some potting soil and native soil. Do not get a potting mixture with peat or perlite. These mixtures are meant to dry out between watering, which is good for most plants. For Canna lily, you want rich soil that will hold water as these plants prefer wet soils.
Care: After the flowers are spent, it would help to dead head them. This plant goes to seed after flowering and unless you want seeds you can conserve this plants energy by cutting off the newly formed seed pod so it puts its energy into new flowers instead of seeds. Otherwise, trim out browning foliage with scissors. Quarterly fertilization and daily water will keep this plant thriving and flowering.
Overwinter: Another advantage to keeping Canna lily in a pot is that you can bring it inside when temps get down into the 30’s. Freezing temps will knock back the foliage and it will have to restart from the rhizomes (roots). It will likely survive if left out, unless we get down into the 20’s for several days.
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CANGENA.PDF
Earthwise Horticultural Services provides landscape design and installation services in Central Florida. The service area includes Seminole and East Orange counties (Lake Mary, Sanford, Heathrow, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Orlando, Longwood, Casselberry areas and nearby).
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While planning your landscape we'll focus on things such as:
1. Choosing plants that not only meet your preferences but are also naturally adapted to the conditions of the landscape.
2. Deciding where and what type of sod to use (if at all); and discussing what it takes to ensure long term success of the new lawn.
3. Problem solving for any trouble areas which includes the consideration of options and identification potential pitfalls.
4. Educating you so that once we are all done, you’ll know what to do in the short term after the installation, as well as long term.
Landscape services include:
· Design & consultation
· Installation of new landscapes
· Hardscaping with natural stone and pavers
· Landscape lighting (low voltage outdoor lighting)
· Irrigation assessment, modification, and improvement (in conjunction with projects)
· Custom built wood landscape structures such as pergolas, arbors, and trellises
This video was recorded and edited by Scott Simpson, the owner of Earthwise Horticultural Services LLC. Thank you for checking out my content. Feel free to visit my website and use the contact tab if you want to consider transforming your landscape into something truly special.
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