Canna 'Happy Emily' (Cannasol Series)
ABOUT
Canna 'Happy Emily' (Cannasol Series) is a vibrant and captivating plant, featuring lush green foliage that forms a dense and leafy backdrop for its showy flowers. The leaves are broad and paddle-shaped, often with a waxy texture, providing a tropical appearance. Against this verdant foliage, the plant boasts striking flowers that demand attention. The blossoms are large, with a flared, funnel-like shape that opens out into ruffled edges. They present a rich color palette, usually in sunny shades of yellow, which may be accented by speckles or streaks of contrasting colors. These flowers come together in clusters atop tall stalks, rising elegantly above the foliage to create a dramatic visual display. The plant emanates an exotic allure, typical of its kind, lending a sense of warmth and brightness to the area it adorns. It's a popular choice among gardeners who want to inject a dose of cheer and color into their landscapes. With a robust and vigorous nature, Canna 'Happy Emily' will often bloom profusely, producing its flamboyant flowers that can last throughout the warm season, giving gardens a sustained display of its joyous hues.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Canna Lily, Indian Shot, Canna Flower, Arrowroot.
Common names
Canna 'Happy Emily'
ToxicityTo humans
Canna lily toxicity to humans is generally considered to be low. While they are not specifically listed as toxic, eating parts of canna lilies may cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities. However, they are not commonly associated with severe poisoning in humans. It's always a good practice to prevent ingestion of ornamental plants as they are not food crops and may have adverse effects if consumed.
To pets
Canna lilies are not known to be toxic to pets. They are generally considered safe for pets such as dogs and cats. However, ingestion of plant material can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal irritation in some animals, including symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If your pet does ingest a large quantity of canna lily, or if you notice adverse symptoms after ingestion, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
2 feet 6 inches (76 cm)
Spread
2 feet (61 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Canna 'Happy Emily' produces vibrant blossoms that add color and visual interest to gardens.
- Compact Growth: It has a more compact growth habit, which makes it suitable for smaller spaces or container gardening.
- Low Maintenance: This canna variety is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and upkeep.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it's quite tolerant of dry conditions, making it a good option for water-wise landscapes.
- Fast Growth: Canna 'Happy Emily' is known for its rapid growth, allowing gardeners to enjoy its beauty quickly after planting.
- Pest Resistant: This plant shows resistance to common pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a long blooming season that extends throughout the summer months, offering prolonged enjoyment.
- Variety of Uses: Suitable for use in mixed borders, as an architectural plant, or as part of a tropical-themed garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers can attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for the pollination of surrounding plants.
- Soil Adaptability: It can thrive in a variety of soil types as long as they are well-draining.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Organic Mulch: After the canna plant has been cut back, the foliage can be used as a nutritious organic mulch that decomposes and enriches the soil.
- Companion Planting: Cannas can be planted among vegetables to add aesthetic value to the vegetable garden and attract pollinators.
- Natural Pond Filter: When planted around the edges of a pond, cannas can help filter and clean the water by absorbing excess nutrients.
- Erosion Control: Cannas, with their robust root system, can be planted on slopes or banks to help prevent soil erosion.
- Seasonal Screens: Tall varieties like Canna 'Happy Emily' can be used to create natural, seasonal privacy screens in outdoor living spaces.
- Craft Materials: The large leaves can be used in crafting, for example to create eco-friendly prints or to wrap other plants as a gift.
- Edible Flowers: Although not commonly used, the flowers of edible varieties of cannas can be used in gourmet culinary dishes for decoration.
- Biodegradable Plant Pots: The large leaves can be folded and crafted into biodegradable pots for starting seeds, reducing the use of plastic.
- Dye Production: The leaves and flowers of some canna species can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or art projects.
- Education: Cannas can be used in educational settings such as schools to teach students about botany, pollination, and horticulture.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCannas are not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCannas are not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: The Canna 'Happy Emily' represents a strong sentiment of love and affection, possibly due to its vibrant and eye-catching flowers that can be reminiscent of a passionate heart.
- Fertility and Prosperity: Traditionally, cannas have been associated with fertility due to their lush and fast-growing foliage, signifying abundance and the capacity to sustain growth.
- Change and Transition: The canna's lifecycle, with its periods of blooming and dormancy, symbolizes change and the ability to adapt to new circumstances, reflecting the natural transitions in life.
- Beauty: The striking appearance of the Canna 'Happy Emily' blooms makes it a symbol of beauty and splendor in the plant world, often used to enhance the aesthetic of gardens and landscapes.
WaterCanna lilies, including the Canna 'Happy Emily', should be watered thoroughly and allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. These plants prefer consistent moisture, so watering once a week is a good rule of thumb, although they may require more frequent watering during hot, dry periods. When watering, apply water at the base of the plant until the soil is saturated; for a potted Canna 'Happy Emily', this might mean using approximately half a gallon of water, depending on the size of the pot and the soil composition. During the growing season, make sure to provide enough water to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
LightCanna lilies thrive in full sun, meaning they should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. For Canna 'Happy Emily', a spot that receives morning sunlight and partial shade in the afternoon is ideal, especially in regions with very hot summers. Avoid placing them in full shade, as this will reduce blooming and can lead to weak growth.
TemperatureCanna lilies, such as Canna 'Happy Emily', prefer warm climates and thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 90°F. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 55°F but should not be exposed to frost, as they are not cold-hardy. If temperatures are expected to drop below this range, it is important to protect them or bring them indoors if they are in containers.
PruningPrune Canna lilies such as Canna 'Happy Emily' to remove spent flowers and enhance blooming. Cutting back the flower stalks after the flowers have faded encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Pruning is also beneficial at the end of the blooming season, usually in late autumn, to remove old foliage and prepare the plants for winter. In climates where Canna lilies are perennial, cut them to the ground after frost has blackened the foliage.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCannas thrive in a rich, well-draining soil mix with pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand can create an ideal growing medium for Canna 'Happy Emily'. Regular enrichment with organic matter is beneficial.
RepottingCanna 'Happy Emily' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. The best time to repot is in the spring before the growing season begins.
Humidity & MistingCanna 'Happy Emily' prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is quite adaptable. Aim for a humidity level around 40-60% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Canna 'Happy Emily' in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, keep soil moist, and protect from cold temperatures.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleCanna 'Happy Emily', commonly called Canna Lily, begins its life as a rhizome, which sprouts in early spring or when temperatures consistently stay above 60°F (15°C). The rhizome grows into a stalk with large, paddle-shaped leaves and the plant undergoes vegetative growth, which is when it produces its foliage and gains size. After the vegetative phase, the Canna Lily enters the flowering stage, typically in the late spring or early summer, displaying vibrant colored blossoms that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers may produce seeds, although many hybrid cultivars like 'Happy Emily' are sterile and don't typically set viable seeds. As temperatures cool in late fall, the Canna Lily enters dormancy; the foliage dies back, and the plant conserves energy within its rhizome. To complete the cycle, the rhizome can be left in the ground in warmer climates or dug up, stored, and then replanted after the last frost in regions where winter temperatures fall below the plant's tolerance.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Canna 'Happy Emily', belonging to the Cannasol Series, is typically propagated by dividing the rhizomes. This is a popular method because cannas are generally not grown from seed by gardeners. The best time for propagating them by division is in the spring after the last frost when the plant is starting to grow again. To propagate, dig up the clump of rhizomes and gently separate them using a sharp knife or spade, ensuring that each division has at least one eye, which is a growth node. The pieces of rhizome should be about 3 to 5 inches long (approximately 7.5 to 12.7 centimeters). Replant the divisions at a depth of 4 inches (10 centimeters), spacing them about 1 to 2 feet apart (30 to 60 centimeters), to give each new plant enough room to grow. Keep the soil moist and wait for the plants to establish and grow into vibrant Canna 'Happy Emily' specimens.
