A Pot Full of Cannas (page 2)
Then
things changed. I visited a garden centre in early summer 1998
and saw a young plant of Canna "City of Portland" for sale at
£2.50 (about $4). It had one reasonable sized and two smaller
shoots and looked to be well worth the risk. I bought it.
It was in a small pot so the first act was a transfer into a larger
pot containing a mixture of soil based and soilless compost. I
knew that Cannas were gross feeders so timed-release fertilizer
granules were added to keep the plant fed through the season.
I put it in full sun on the patio, kept it well watered, and waited.
First came the leaves. Broad, dark streaked paddles, which made
for an impressive foliage effect. Eventually it flowered. A single
spike in late September and early October. Winds and rain soon
wrecked the flowers, although the leaves remained impressive for
another month. Then it was time to prepare the plant for the winter.
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About the Author John Richmond is a keen gardener who lives and works in the South West of England. He has a scientific background as a professional ecologist. He has written occasional articles for gardening and other magazines in Britain since 1984, specializing in garden wildlife issues and hardy plants. Correspondence from other gardeners is always welcome.
