Cannas are a tropical plant that can add a touch of the exotic to any garden. They are easy to grow and care for, and will bloom continuously throughout the summer with proper care. Here are some tips on how to keep your cannas blooming:
1. Plant in full sun. Cannas need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to bloom well. If you live in an area with hot summers, choose a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade.
2. Provide rich, well-drained soil. Cannas like soil that is high in organic matter and drains well. Amend your planting bed with compost or other organic matter before planting cannas.
3. Water regularly during the growing season. Keep the soil moist but not soggy – water about once per week, or more often if needed during periods of extended heat or drought. Once cannas start blooming, cut back on watering slightly to prevent buds from dropping off prematurely.
4 . Fertilize monthly during the growing season . Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 , applied at half the recommended rate on the package . More is not better – too much fertilizer can actually damage cannas and cause them to produce fewer flowers .
Stop fertilizing once flowering begins , as excessive fertilizer can cause bud drop . However , you can give plants an extra boost by applying a high - phosphorus fertilizer ( such as 0 - 20 - 20 ) once every 4 weeks during flowering . This will help prolong bloom time .
5 5 Cut back after frost . In most areas , cannas must be dug up and brought indoors for winter since they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures . However , if you live in USDA hardiness zone 8 or above , you can leave your cannas in the ground year - round