About

Canna 'Bird of Paradise' is a vigorous, upright perennial characterized by its tall stature and rhizomatous growth habit. It features elongated, lanceolate leaves that are deep green with dark purple margins. During late summer to early autumn, the plant produces small pink flowers on sturdy stems. To protect the foliage from potential wind damage, it is advisable to cultivate this variety in a sheltered environment.

About the genus

Canna are herbaceous perennials characterized by their rhizomatous growth and upright stems. They feature broad, oval leaves and prominent flowers that include petal-like staminodes along with smaller, colored petals and sepals. These blooms appear in clusters, such as racemes or panicles, during the summer and autumn months.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation

As a patio plant grow in pots of peat-free compost in a sheltered site in full sun. Plants can also be planted into a sunny border. Water freely and apply a high potassium feed every 2-3 weeks in the growing season. Lift the rhizomes in autumn when frost blackens the foliage. Store over winter in barely moist compost in frost-free conditions. See canna cultivation for further information

Pruning

Leave to die back in autumn, deadhead flowers to prolong flowering

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to caterpillars, glasshouse red spider mite and aphids

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to canna viruses