The Louis Cottin canna lily belongs to low-growing varieties that delight with intriguing colours. This decorative, lush plant with large, oval, purple-crimson leaves and apricot flowers instantly catches attention as a part of garden and container compositions. Its erect, unbranched habit gives it plant a nice, compact structure. The striking flowers of Louis Cottin canna lily are gathered atop thick stalks in lush spikes. Their sunny colour contrasts wonderfully with the dark foliage, which makes the plants look very spectacular. A mature Louis Cottin canna grows to a height of forty-five to sixty centimetres. This variety stands out with a long flowering period, as its picturesque flowers adorn the plant from July to September.

The magnificent canna lily comes from a tropical climate and therefore requires plenty of sunlight to fully reveal its charm. The site should be sheltered from the wind and warm up quickly. Soil is also crucial in successful canna lily cultivation. Choose deeply cultivated, loosened, nutritious soil. You can plant canna lily in pots as early as March. Place pots with rhizomes in a bright room where temperature remains stable within the 12 to 16ºC range. Transfer well-developed seedlings to the ground mid-May, after the weather stabilizes. Canna requires regular care throughout the season. It should be watered and fertilized regularly so it can form buds continually.

Unfortunately, canna lilies are plants that do not tolerate the cold, let alone temperatures below freezing point. Trim down canna stems in autumn to ten to fifteen centimetres and dig up the rhizomes. Shake off the excess soil and let them dry. Store them in a room where temperature remains within the 5 to 8⁰C range. To improve storage conditions, cover canna lily rhizomes with a layer of sawdust or sand. Check the condition of the rhizomes from time to time and, if needed, remove damaged ones or those affected by a disease. Dividing rhizomes allows you to grow canna lily for years.

Each package contains one first quality Louis Cottin canna lily tuber. Look for basic plant facts and growing tips on the package label.

• Variety: Louis Cottin
• Use: ornamental
• Growth form: compact
• Flower colour: apricot
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: large, oval, purple-crimson
• Site: sheltered, warm; deeply cultivated, loosened, nutritious soil
• Bulbs: 1
• Height: 45 to 60 centimetres
• Flowering period: July to September
• Planting period: May
• Wintering in the ground?: no