50 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



THE CANNA. 



N another portion of this number we have described the Yucca as 

 a very suitable plant with which to adorn our Canadian gardens. 

 Another perennial of sub-tropical character, which may be grown in 

 Ontario, is the Canna. In England, with winter protection, it may be 

 left in the outdoor garden the year through, but it is too tender for 

 '1^^ that in our country. It needs 

 to be lifted in the autumn and stored 

 away in boxes with a little earth during 

 the winter season, where, by giving it 

 a little water occasionally to keep it 

 from shrivelling, it will keep in good, 

 plump condition until spring ; then, 

 after all danger from frost is over, it 

 may be planted out in the garden. It 

 is very easily propagated by root- 

 division, for its root stocks resemble 

 those of the Iris, and may easily be 

 cut in parts, each of which, providing 

 it is furnished with root and bud, will 

 make a separate plant. 



A sheltered spot in the garden is 

 best adapted for the Canna, where it 

 will not be subject to high winds. 

 The soil should be rich and moist and never allowed to become dry. To avoid 

 this it may be necessary to thoroughly drench it with water during the summer. 

 With this treatment it will flower freely during the summer and autumn months, 

 reminding one, in some of its characteristics, of the gladiolus, but far superior to 

 it by reason of its beautiful foliage, which, in some varieties, is green, and others 

 dark purple. Unfortunately those with the dark colored foliage are less beauti- 

 ful in bloom than those with the green colored leaves, but possibly, through the 

 efforts of our scientific gardeners, varieties may be produced in which both these 

 excellences are combined. 



The Canna is sometimes grown indoors, and is a very effective ornamental 

 plant for the house. For that purpose the roots should be planted in six-inch 

 pots, using rich earth, which should be plentifully supplied with manure-water 

 in order to maintain a vigorous growth. 



For the open ground a very desirable mode of planting Cannas has been 

 .suggested by Mr. Vick, in the accompanying illustration, where the tall growing 



