Canna Lily Canna 'Delaware'
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ABOUT
Canna 'Delaware' is a striking plant known for its vibrant and broad foliage coupled with stunning flowers. The leaves emerge in a lush, deep green hue, sometimes with a bronze or maroon overlay that creates a tropical look. These leaves are wide and have a smooth, waxy surface, appearing almost like a small paddle. They grow out from the stem in an alternate pattern and can sometimes display graceful, slightly undulating margins, bringing a sense of movement to the foliage. The flowers of the Canna 'Delaware' are the standout feature and present an impressive show. They are typically a radiant red or deep orange color, often edged with a golden or yellow hue, which makes them very eye-catching. The flowers are large and typically have a flared, funnel-like shape with petals that are both rounded and slightly ruffled at their edges. These blooms grow in clusters atop the tall, strong stalks that rise above the foliage. When in full bloom, Canna 'Delaware' creates a colorful focal point in any garden setting, attracting both the eyes of admirers as well as pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. The overall visual impact of the plant is one of lushness and vibrancy, often associated with a tropical ambiance.
About this plant
Names
Family
Cannaceae
Synonyms
Canna Lily, Canna
Common names
Canna 'Delaware'.
Toxicity
To humans
Canna 'Delaware', commonly known as canna lily, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, some individuals might experience mild stomach upset if any part of the plant is ingested. It is always advisable to avoid eating any part of ornamental plants due to the potential for individual allergic reactions or unknown sensitivities. In general, canna lilies do not contain highly toxic compounds that would result in severe poisoning.
To pets
Canna lily, the common name for Canna 'Delaware', is not known to be highly toxic to pets. If pets ingest parts of the plant, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, similar to humans. It is generally not expected to cause severe toxicity or life-threatening symptoms in pets. However, keeping an eye on your pet and preventing them from consuming non-food plants is always a good precautionary measure to avoid any potential stomach discomfort.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
1.5-2 feet (0.45-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
7-10
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds striking visual interest to gardens with its large, brightly colored flowers and lush foliage.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Attracts Wildlife: The vibrant blooms can attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.
- Adaptability: Canna 'Delaware' is adaptable to various soil types, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Versatility: Suitable for planting in beds, borders, and containers, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate short periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Fast Growth: This plant can grow relatively quickly, filling in garden spaces and providing a lush look sooner.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a long blooming season, usually from early summer to the first frost, providing extended garden interest.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Canna 'Delaware', commonly known as Canna Lily, can be used as a natural insect repellent when certain parts are processed into oil, which can be applied to the skin.
- The large, broad leaves of the Canna Lily can be used as natural wrapping material for food, similar to how banana leaves are utilized in various cuisines around the world.
- Canna Lily rhizomes can be processed into a starchy flour, which is suitable for gluten-free cooking and baking applications.
- The fibrous stems of the Canna Lily can be used in the production of paper or as a component in handcrafted paper-making processes.
- When dried and treated, the seeds of Canna Lily can be used as beads for jewelry making or as an element in various craft projects.
- The Canna Lily's colorful flowers can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering a range of hues based on different mordants used.
- The tall and sturdy nature of the Canna Lily makes it suitable for creating garden screens or living fences for privacy or wind protection.
- Due to its rapid growth, Canna Lily can be cultivated as part of a phytoremediation effort to help restore soil health in contaminated areas.
- Canna Lily's dense foliage can provide habitat and shelter for beneficial garden insects and small wildlife, promoting biodiversity.
- The showy flowers of Canna Lily can be utilized in floral arrangements, adding a tropical and dramatic flair to bouquets and centerpieces.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
The Canna is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Canna is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Cannas have been historically used to express hidden feelings of love and passion.
- Prosperity: Because they can grow and spread quickly if given the right conditions, cannas are often associated with prosperity and abundance.
- Beauty: With their striking flowers, cannas symbolize magnificent beauty, often used in gardens to add a bold splash of color.
- Change: As a plant that emerges from rhizomes each year, cannas can symbolize change and new beginnings.
Water
Canna lilies, including the 'Delaware' variety, prefer consistently moist soil, so regular watering is essential. They should be watered deeply to saturate the roots, roughly 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on weather conditions, more frequently if the weather is particularly hot or dry. It's best to check the top inch of soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Use a gentle, steady stream of water to avoid disturbing the soil or damaging the plant, ideally in the morning to allow excess moisture to evaporate through the day. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage and avoid letting the plants stand in water.
Light
Canna lilies, such as the 'Delaware', thrive in full sunlight. They should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming. These plants can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest parts of the day, but too much shade will reduce flowering. Place them in a spot where they can soak up plenty of sunshine while being protected from intense afternoon heat if possible.
Temperature
Canna lilies, including the 'Delaware' variety, prefer warm temperatures and do best in USDA zones 7 through 10. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but grow and flower best when temperatures range between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be protected from frost, as temperatures dipping below 50 degrees can cause damage to the plant.
Pruning
Canna lilies, such as the 'Delaware', should be pruned to remove spent flowers and damaged leaves, which encourages new growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or cutting off the old flowers, should be done throughout the blooming season to maintain appearance. Cut back the foliage to ground level after the first frost in the fall to prepare for winter if you are in a region where cannas are not winter-hardy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Cannas, including the Canna 'Delaware', thrive in a rich, well-draining soil mix with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A good mix can be made with equal parts of loam, compost, and peat or a commercial potting mix augmented with compost and perlite to increase fertility and drainage.
Repotting
Cannas, such as the Canna 'Delaware', don't often need to be repotted and can be left in the same pot for several years. However, if it becomes root-bound or the soil is exhausted, it should be repotted in the spring every 2 to 3 years.
Humidity & Misting
Canna 'Delaware' plants do well in average humidity conditions. To ensure strong growth, maintain the relative humidity around them at moderate levels, typically between 40% and 60%.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Provide bright light, keep soil moist, and ensure high humidity.
Outdoor
Full sun, rich soil, consistent moisture, and shelter from wind.
Hardiness zone
7-11 USDA
Life cycle
The Canna 'Delaware', commonly known as Delaware Canna, begins its life cycle when a rhizome is planted in the soil during spring after the last frost. The rhizome sprouts and grows into a leafy plant, developing large, paddle-shaped leaves and a sturdy stem. By mid-summer, the Delaware Canna produces vibrant, showy flowers that can be red, orange, or yellow, attracting pollinators to its nectar-rich blooms. After flowering, pollination potentially occurs, leading to the formation of seed pods if pollinators are successful. Once the growing season ends and temperatures drop, the aerial parts of the plant die back, and the plant goes dormant over winter, surviving underground as a rhizome. In the following spring, the cycle begins anew as the rhizome sprouts again, given that conditions are favorable for growth.
Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating Canna ‘Delaware’, which is a variety of Canna Lily, is through division of its rhizomes. This is typically done in the spring just before the growing season begins, when the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures have begun to warm up. To propagate by division, gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of Canna lilies, making sure not to damage the rhizomes. Using a sharp knife or spade, they can then cut the rhizomes into sections, ensuring that each section has at least one eye, which is a growth point from which new shoots will emerge. These sections can then be replanted at a depth of around 3 to 4 inches, spaced approximately 1 to 2 feet apart to allow adequate growth space. It's important to water the newly planted rhizomes well to establish them. This method allows for rapid increase in the number of plants and retains the cultivar's characteristics.