Canna × generalis
This catch-all group includes most named garden cannas.
Plants range from dwarf to tall with flowers in warm colors and foliage from green to bronze or variegated.
They perform best in full sun, rich soil, and steady summer moisture.
In much of North America they are lifted and stored where winters freeze hard.
Some newer selections bloom continuously and may be self-cleaning.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Hybrid Group
- Height × spread: 2 to 6 ft (0.6 to 1.8 m) × 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m)
- Bloom window: summer to frost (varies by cultivar and climate)
- Color & flower form: red, orange, yellow, pink, white; large open or flared blooms
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 8 to 11; some hardy in 7 with mulch; annual where colder
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Widest range of colors, leaf patterns, and plant sizes in the genus.
- Many compact and container-friendly forms.
- Includes cultivars that are self-cleaning, reducing deadheading.
Strengths
- Long seasonal color with regular grooming and feeding.
- Works from patio containers to bold border drifts.
- Many cultivars feature striking variegated foliage.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun for best bloom; light shade tolerated.
- Soil: fertile, well-drained yet moisture-retentive; pH acid to neutral.
- Water: keep evenly moist during heat; avoid prolonged drought.
- Feed: compost plus a balanced fertilizer in late spring and mid-summer.
- Overwinter: lift rhizomes after frost and store at 40 to 50°F in a dry medium in cold zones.
Watch‑outs
- Leafrollers can damage foliage; monitor in warm regions.
- Viral diseases occur; buy clean stock and rogue suspects.
- Rhizomes rot in airless, saturated soils; very tall types need shelter from wind.
Best uses (tags)
borders, containers, massing, pollinators
Provenance note
Derived chiefly from crosses among species such as Canna indica and Canna glauca or Canna iridiflora; grouped under Canna × generalis.
References
- NC State Extension: Canna × generalis
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Canna (group)
- Clemson HGIC: Cannas
- ASPCA: Canna Lily
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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