Canna lilies are not a true lily, but have a similar flower structure. They are part of the cannaceae family which consists of 10 different species. There are numerous varieties to choose from and you can’t go wrong with any choice. Canna lilies bloom in orange, red, and yellow, and a few other colors in between.
Canna lilies have been grown for centuries all across the world. They are well known for their exotic blooms and large banana plant-like leaves. Their vibrant blooms last from mid-summer to first frost so you can enjoy them all season long. They are also well known for their animal and deer repellent properties.
Have you decided to plant some canna lilies in your garden but aren’t sure if they’ll come back every spring or if you’ll have to replant them every year? Let’s take a closer look to see if they are annual, biennial, or perennial plants in your area.
Depending on your hardiness zone, canna lilies can be grown perennially or as an annual. They have a high tolerance for hot, humid conditions but low tolerance for freezing conditions. Because they grow from rhizomes, they can be lifted in the fall and stored overwinter in colder climates. If you live somewhere warmer, you can leave them there and they will come back every year.
Canna lilies are technically classified as perennial flowering plants but in certain regions are treated like an annual. They produce rhizomes which are underground stems that produce roots from the button and shouts from the eyes. These rhizomes are sensitive to freezing temperatures and can not survive cold winter conditions.
If it freezes, you will have to bring the rhizomes inside for the winter and plant them again in the spring. Any rhizomes left in the ground will not survive the winter and not regrow in the spring.
People who live in warmer places where it doesn’t get below freezing won’t have to overwinter their plants. In these climates, they will regrow each spring. Simply cut back dead foliage and wait for warmer weather in the spring.
Due to their ability to spread, be sure to allow enough space for growth during the season. In warmer regions, consider thinning tm out every two years. This will keep foliage and bloom production at a max.
If you’ve ever been on vacation to a tropical place and wanted to bring back those bright and lovely flowers, you could plant them in a pot or garden bed. They are from the tropical parts of the United States, South America, and the Caribbean Islands. They will add a touch of the tropics to any yard.
Canna lilies bloom in red, pink, orange, and yellow to name a few. Their foliage can be variegated with white and pinks veins or green and purple dinner plate size leaves. The flowers are a cluster of color atop tall stems.
Canna lilies come in three different sizes. It’s possible for them to be dwarf varieties, which grow to be between 2 and 4 feet tall. Dwarf varieties are excellent in containers, along buildings or low garden beds to add height.
They can be standard sized, which is usually between 4 and 6 feet tall. The other size is a giant variety, they can reach heights over 8 feet tall. These kinds of canna lilies would look great in the back of a garden, along a simple fence, or behind a water feature. All three types prefer to be planted in full sun.
The ability of this perennial to clean itself during the growing season makes it easy to take care of. If you live in colder regions, you will have to do a little more work in the fall. Continue reading to determine if they are suited for your region.
Canna lilies can be grown in hardiness zones 3 to 11, which is impressive for a tropical plant. There are some things to consider if you are planting in zones 3 to . These zones typically see soils that fall below 32° F which isn’t ideal for rhizomes.
In zones 3 to 7, they should be considered as flowering annuals. This is because you will need to pull their rhizomes out of the ground after the first frost in the fall. You will have to store the rhizomes in a cool, dry, dark place overwinter. Once conditions are ideal in the spring, you can replant the rhizomes and they will grow once again.
In hardiness zone 8-11, you can leave them in the ground and they will regrow in the spring. Soil temperatures typically don’t fall below 32° F in these regions and the rhizomes will survive the winter.
Since you don’t have to remove our them every year, be aware of disease and overcrowding. Diseases have a tendency to overwinter on old plant material and can carry over from year to year.
They are well known to spread very quickly, which can cause too many rhizomes in one area. Overcrowding is an issue and will cause loss in bloom and foliage production. To avoid overcrowding, remove a few rhizomes from the area every 2 years. You can also dig up rhizomes during the season to allow more room for existing canna plants.
With their huge, lush leaves and brightly colored blooms, Canna Cannova varieties make a big statement in gardens and containers. Their tropical look instantly conjures images of exotic locales. But what exactly are these dramatic plants? Are Canna Cannova cannas perennials? Let’s take a closer look at what makes this series so special.
An Overview of Canna Cannova
Canna Cannova refers to a series or group of canna cultivars rather than a single variety. Cannova cannas were bred by Takii Seed Company and introduced to the market around 2015. Some key features of the series include:
- Large, showy blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and bicolor
- Robust growth habit and extensive branching
- Unique large leaves in green, bronze, variegated, or black
- Early flowering and extended bloom duration
- Compact, upright plant shape
- Excellent performance in hot climates
This hybrid canna series was created to offer enhanced aesthetics, flowering, and durability over older cannas There are currently around 10 different named Cannova varieties to choose from.
Are Cannova Cannas Perennials?
Cannas are herbaceous perennials in tropical and subtropical climates. However in temperate zones with cold winters they behave as tender perennials or annuals. So are Canna Cannova perennials?
The Canna Cannova varieties are tender perennials like their canna relatives. They lack the cold hardiness to survive freezing winter temperatures. As such, gardeners in zones 8 and warmer can grow Cannova cannas as perennials. Those in cooler climates must treat them as annuals and replant each spring.
Growing Canna Cannova as Annuals vs. Perennials
Growing Cannova cannas as annuals or perennials involves slightly different care. Here’s an overview:
As Annuals
In climates with cold winters, start cannas indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Plant them outside after temperatures have warmed in late spring. Site them in full sun in rich, moist soil. Fertilize regularly and water during droughts. Dig up the bulbs before the first fall frost and store over winter in a dry, cool place.
As Perennials
In frost-free climates, Cannova cannas can remain in the garden year-round. Plant in spring once the soil has warmed. Give them full sun, frequent watering, and regular feeding. Cut plants back to the ground after they experience frost damage. Mulch the roots to protect them from cold. Shoots will emerge again when temperatures rise. Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years.
Tips for Growing Cannova Cannas
Here are some top tips to get the most out of Cannova cannas each season:
- Select a site with full sun to light shade and shelter from wind
- Prepare a bed with rich, moist, well-draining soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for growth
- Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist
- Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growth
- Prune spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
- Dig and store bulbs in fall where not winter hardy
- Plant in groups or blocks of color for maximum impact
Choosing a Canna Cannova Variety
One of the best parts of the Cannova series is the diversity of flower colors and foliage effects. Some top varieties include:
- Cannova Bronze Scarlet – scarlet blooms with bronze leaves
- Cannova Mango – peach and yellow bicolor flowers
- Cannova Lemon – bright yellow blossoms
- Cannova Red Shades – vivid red petals on bronze foliage
- Cannova Tropicanna Black – scarlet blooms on nearly black leaves
- Cannova Blaze – fiery orange-red flowers
- Cannova Rose – rose pink flowers on green leaves
Visit your local garden center to see the Cannova canna colors available in your area. The series offers a wide range of choices for designing vibrant cannas beds, borders, and containers.
Enjoying Cannova Cannas in the Garden
Canna Cannova offers an easy way to bring bold tropical style to both warm and cold climate gardens. With their lush foliage and non-stop colorful blooms, these cannas are sure to be standouts in any sunny planting. Give them room to showcase their flamboyant style. Site them as focal points, thriller elements, or in masses for maximum impact. With minimal care, Cannova cannas will reward gardeners with continuous color from midsummer until fall frost.
Though Cannova cannas may return as perennials in frost-free climates, gardeners in colder zones can enjoy them as annuals. Their fast growth, low maintenance needs, and stellar performance make up for having to replant them each year. For an exotic tropical flair, Cannova cannas are definitely a series to explore.
Growing as a Perennial
These tall perennials need enough space to spread and do not tolerate overcrowding.
If you live in hardiness zones 8 to 11, they can grow as a perennial. Perennial simply means that your plant will return year after year. You plant your perennial one time and for many years you can enjoy beautiful blooms.
Did you know Cannas can grow indoors? They do surprisingly well in containers inside and outside. If you choose to grow them indoors, they perform as a flowering perennial. Because they are indoors year round, you will have to thin them out more regularly. They will quickly spread and begin to overcrowd in a pot.
Cannas are known to spread as they grow. If you choose a small area, they will most likely consume the area in one season. Overcrowding can cause loss in foliage and bloom production. Give adequate spacing during planting and choose a location that allows plenty of space to spread.
Diseases are more abundant in warmer zones where they are treated as perennials. The diseases can overwinter on dead plant material and carry over to next year’s plants. Keep your planting area free of debris to prevent diseases from spreading.