The dazzling Canna
Aug 04, 2006
AN attractive flower bed is like a fine wine. Special attention has to be<br>given during its preparation and for the best results one has to wait for the plants one chooses to grow. Many gardeners are put off by the hard work and patience that goes into planning and preparing an elaborate flower b
By Barbara Angopa
AN attractive flower bed is like a fine wine. Special attention has to be
given during its preparation and for the best results one has to wait for the plants one chooses to grow. Many gardeners are put off by the hard work and patience that goes into planning and preparing an elaborate flower bed, so they opt out of growing flowers altogether.
However, this need not be the case. By choosing easy-growing and low-maintenance blooms, you can get magnificent results.
One such plant is the dazzling canna, an excellent gardener’s choice as it flowers recurrently during the year. There are over 55 varieties of canna and many of them are naturalised in Uganda.
The stunning flowers grow in a vivid array of colours including brash reds, blushing pinks, lemon yellows and fiery oranges or any combination of these colours. The stems grow up to two feet tall while the broad leaves vary in colour, including maroon, dark purples, browns, solid greens or variegated leaf varieties.
The canna blooms dominate the area of the garden in which you plant them and are strident attention seekers. To avoid a fierce clash of colours, it is best to plant one variety and blend it in with plants which do not make such a loud statement. If you have little room for flower beds, you can plant the canna in pots.
How to grow colourful cannas
Cannas are the ultimate sun-worshippers and grow easily in Uganda’s equatorial climate. To propagate a canna, simply divide the thick stems from which the roots and leaves grow and start it off in rich potted soil. Water the plant sparingly until it roots sufficiently before transferring it to the area in the garden where you to grow it.
You need to space the cannas two or three feet apart as they grow and spread themselves out.
Cannas have relatively few pests, although snails and caterpillars are fond of nibbling round the edges of their leaves and giving them a forlorn appearance.
When the plants are starting to grow too tall, a good trick is to simply chop a foot of the plant, including the wilted flowers. This practice encourages fresh leaves to grow. Continue watering the plant so it does not grow flaccid during the hot season. By the time the rain comes, the fresh leaves will have begun to bud.
Odd Canna facts
The canna is related to the banana tree and originates from South America where the starchy roots or “rhizomes†are eaten. When cooked, the canna roots have a similar taste to a sweet potato or yam.
Where to get your canna
There are some common varieties of canna which are so naturalised in Uganda that you find them growing wild on roadsides.
However, if you take your time you can seek out more exotic varieties or ask your friends whether you can propagate a particular specimen you like. They can be found at most garden nurseries around Kampala.
AN attractive flower bed is like a fine wine. Special attention has to be
given during its preparation and for the best results one has to wait for the plants one chooses to grow. Many gardeners are put off by the hard work and patience that goes into planning and preparing an elaborate flower bed, so they opt out of growing flowers altogether.
However, this need not be the case. By choosing easy-growing and low-maintenance blooms, you can get magnificent results.
One such plant is the dazzling canna, an excellent gardener’s choice as it flowers recurrently during the year. There are over 55 varieties of canna and many of them are naturalised in Uganda.
The stunning flowers grow in a vivid array of colours including brash reds, blushing pinks, lemon yellows and fiery oranges or any combination of these colours. The stems grow up to two feet tall while the broad leaves vary in colour, including maroon, dark purples, browns, solid greens or variegated leaf varieties.
The canna blooms dominate the area of the garden in which you plant them and are strident attention seekers. To avoid a fierce clash of colours, it is best to plant one variety and blend it in with plants which do not make such a loud statement. If you have little room for flower beds, you can plant the canna in pots.
How to grow colourful cannas
Cannas are the ultimate sun-worshippers and grow easily in Uganda’s equatorial climate. To propagate a canna, simply divide the thick stems from which the roots and leaves grow and start it off in rich potted soil. Water the plant sparingly until it roots sufficiently before transferring it to the area in the garden where you to grow it.
You need to space the cannas two or three feet apart as they grow and spread themselves out.
Cannas have relatively few pests, although snails and caterpillars are fond of nibbling round the edges of their leaves and giving them a forlorn appearance.
When the plants are starting to grow too tall, a good trick is to simply chop a foot of the plant, including the wilted flowers. This practice encourages fresh leaves to grow. Continue watering the plant so it does not grow flaccid during the hot season. By the time the rain comes, the fresh leaves will have begun to bud.
Odd Canna facts
The canna is related to the banana tree and originates from South America where the starchy roots or “rhizomes†are eaten. When cooked, the canna roots have a similar taste to a sweet potato or yam.
Where to get your canna
There are some common varieties of canna which are so naturalised in Uganda that you find them growing wild on roadsides.
However, if you take your time you can seek out more exotic varieties or ask your friends whether you can propagate a particular specimen you like. They can be found at most garden nurseries around Kampala.