PLANTS FOR OUTSIDE PLANTING 427 



Green Foliage, Cream-white Flowers 



Mont. Blanc, 3 ft. Excellent for borders. 



Alsace, 4 ft. 



Blanche Wintzer, 3 ft. 



716. Cannas, botanical characters. Cannas are tall, 

 unbranched, large-leaved, herbaceous plants, used for sub- 

 tropical planting and valuable for outdoor summer 

 effects. The flowers are mostly red or yellow, or combi- 

 nations of the two colors. 



Habitat. Tropical countries in both hemispheres. 



717. History. The parent of old, garden varieties 

 was C. Anncei, raised by M. Annee of France from seeds 

 of speciosa crossed with glauca. In 1863 a new race ap- 

 peared as a result of a cross between iridiflora and War- 

 scewiczii. It was called Ehemanni. They were medium 

 in stature, with showy foliage and larger, drooping flowers. 

 This race was grown and experimented with extensively 

 by M. Crozy of France, and many remarkable varieties 

 were originated by him. About 1895, still another race 

 appeared as a result of a cross between iridiflora and 

 flaccida. They are known as Italian or orchid-flowering 

 cannas, and have large, iris-like flowers and dwarf com- 

 pact foliage. 



718. Commercial importance. Cannas are grown and 

 sold extensively for outdoor bedding. Their heavy foliage 

 gives them a subtropical character which is very pleasing. 



719. Propagation. Canna rhizomes are usually di- 

 vided in March, and planted in pots or in sand in the 

 propagating house. The potted ones produce larger, 

 stronger plants. Strong tissue with well-developed 

 buds is selected and all weak rhizomes discarded. 



720. Culture. Cannas should have bottom heat if 

 possible, to develop a strong root system. About the 



