The 'Yara' canna lily (Canna x generalis) is a dwarf variety that adds a much needed energy boost to its surroundings. This variety that grows from thick, voluptuous rhizomes and develops brightly coloured flowers that contrast with green leaves will fit into every garden. This compact, up to 60 cm tall plant produces canary yellow clusters of flowers with red marks. There are several flowers on each stalk what makes the blooming so abundant. The strong fleshy stems sprout from the middle of the tuft, surrounded by large broad oval leaves. The foliage is dark green what only adds to the already exotic appearance of the plant. The 'Yara' canna is a wonderful flowering plant that harmonizes with many perennials and seasonal plants. Its rich, colourful flowers look great in containers that you put on a patio or balcony. They will also adorn a terrace and fit into gazeboes. Its long flowering period that spans from July to September is a great advantage that makes up for the necessity to excavate the rhizomes before the winter.
Canna lily belongs to thermophilic plants that need plenty of sunlight and a sheltered site. It also requires fertile, loose, thoroughly weeded soil that is rich in nutrients. This soil also needs to be rich in humus and have a pH value between 6.5 and 7.0. Cannas prefer abundant watering during the summer and fertilization that is tailor-made to their needs. We recommend to enrich the soil with compost or manure in autumn or spring, before planting canna rhizomes. Do not forget to remove wilted inflorescences in order to extend the flowering period.
Growing canna lily in planters, in which this plant looks truly spectacular, requires following of a few rules. Choose large and stable planters and pots, so the rhizome has sufficient space to develop and grow. It is the young sprouts that will produce blooms in the following season. Cannas need a proper drainage layer and a permeable fertile soil. You have to protect the rhizomes from rotting.
Canna lily is characterized by rather long vegetation period. We recommend to plant the rhizomes early in order to accelerate the blooming. Choose large and capacious containers, plant one rhizome in each of them and place in bright rooms with constant temperature within the 16-18⁰C range. Well developed seedlings are transplanted outside after the risk of late spring frosts is gone. Plant canna lilies 40 to 50 cm apart. You may also plant the rhizomes directly onto beds, but you will have to take into account delayed flowering. Always place the rhizome horizontally, "eyes" up. Cover the rhizomes with an at least 5-cm thick layer of soil.
Due to their region of origin, cannas do not winter in the ground in Central European conditions. Frost causes irreversible damage to them. You need to trim the stalks to 10-15 cm and excavate the rhizomes. Shake off the excess soil and dry them. Store them in dark rooms at temperatures between 5 and 8⁰C. Cover them with sawdust or sand in order to keep them moist. You can propagate canna lilies for many years to come by simply dividing the growing rhizomes.
Each package contains 1 Yara canna lily bulb of premium quality. The basic plant information and growing tips were included in the packaging information on the label.
- Variety: Yara
- Use: ornamental - flower beds, borders, lawns, pots, cut flower
- Growth form: erect
- Flower colour: canary yellow with red spots
- Vegetation form: perennial
- Foliage: dark green
- Site: sunny, sheltered; fertile, loose, thoroughly weeded, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0
- Bulbs: 1
- Height: up to 60 cm
- Flowering period: July - September
- Planting period: early spring -indoors; after the last frost - outdoors
- Planting depth (cm): at least 5 cm
- Planting distance (cm): 40 to 50 cm
- Wintering in the ground?: No
