Cannas are tender perennials grown from rhizomes. Their broad leaves may be green, bronze, purple, or striped, and their warm-coloured flowers make a tropical-looking summer display.
- Plant outdoors only after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. In a short season, start rhizomes in pots indoors and harden off the shoots.
- Choose a sheltered place with sun, rich well-drained soil, and consistent moisture.
- Plant roughly 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) deep. Spacing and final height depend on the cultivar; labels may range from compact container plants to specimens over 5 feet (1.5 m).
- Remove fading blooms for a tidy display, but keep the leaves because they feed the rhizome.
In the Pakenham area, cannas are not winter-hardy. After frost blackens the foliage, an adult can cut the stems and lift the heavy clump. Let it dry, then store it in a dark, ventilated, frost-free place around 4 to 10°C (40 to 50°F). Check occasionally and discard rotting pieces.
Some Canna species have traditional food uses, but ornamental plants and their treatments vary. Do not taste this garden plant.