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GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Varied Color 
Range and 
Tone 
Tropical 
Plant 
Semi- 
Hardy 
As 
Screens 
Caladium 
Culture 
with not more than an inch of earth covering the top of the bulb, 
unless there is an earth-stain on the stalk which indicates the depth 
the plant had been covered. This is true, also, of other bulbs and 
tubers. 
CANNA 
The newer varieties of Canna demonstrate the fact that they, 
too, have received recognition and have profited by the cultiva¬ 
tion and attention given them by plant experts. 
They vary in statue from two and one-half feet to those that 
tower above one’s head. Their colors, that once startled one with 
their brilliancy, have become subdued and softened, and are in 
better accord with other flowers. The blossoms are large and range 
in color from white through yellow to deep maroon. 
Because of the fact that Cannas are rather coarse, with their 
large tropical leaves, they do not combine well with most other 
plants and shrubs. A more pleasing effect is gained by planting 
them in clumps wherever one wishes to give a definitely tropical 
effect. 
Cannas multiply very rapidly and their roots spread in every 
direction. If planted near perennials or shrubs, they crowd out 
the other plants. 
Some varieties of Cannas are perfectly hardy, but many should 
have protection. So in the latitude of Dallas it is safer to take them 
out of the ground and store during the Winter months. 
They have been used extensively as quick-growing hedges or 
screens, although the fact that they die down at the first frost 
makes them questionable for this purpose, especially in the north¬ 
ern portion of the Southwest. 
CALADIUM (ELEPHANT EARS) 
Another bulbous plant that has always been associated with the 
Canna is the Caladium (or Elephant Ears). These, like the Cannas, 
are semi-hardy, for they only weather the mild Winters. They, 
too, should be taken up after the leaves die down in the Fall, 
planted again in the Spring, with only a light covering of earth 
on top of the crown of the bulb. 
